As tensions between India and China remain following the clashes at Galwan and the subsequent stalemate at Pangong Tso, the Khadi Village and Industries Commission (KVIC) has called for restriction on import of Chinese silk stating, that the domestic market has the capability of fill in for the void left by the Chinese.
The demand has been raised at a time when the Indian government has started a probe on the import of a specific type of yarn from China. The probe was ordered after an application was submitted by the Man-Made Fibre Industry of India, which argued that Chinese yarn was impacting the livelihoods of many people employed in the industry.
Is it possible?
Currently, almost 80% of silk thread used in the Indian industry comes from China, while the rest is provided by domestic sector or alternative sources such as South Korea. One of the major concern of the Industry is that the even though the variety of Indian silk is better than China, the lack of technological evolutions in adopting newer technologies has left it at a disadvantage.
The Indian thread is said to be unsuitable on a power loom as compared to its Chinese counterparts.
The result is that Indian thread is not adopted for mass production which is mainly done on power looms. In this condition the only players demanding for Indian silk are the workers who work on handloom.
So, what’s the solution?
The solution is not one single restriction but rather a series of reforms that will help the industry in becoming self reliant. The government should provide assistance to the industry in acquiring better machinery that will help increase the demand for domestic silk. Furthermore, there should be a more comprehensive framework where the farmers must be incentivised to grow such crops for which India is heavily dependent on imports.
These reforms will take time and will require support from all stakeholders but it is the only way which is clear, viable and the best.
