The engagement between India and US is important in multiple fronts such as global politics, trade, and education, writes Dr Seshadri Ramkumar
(November 20, 2025)—
Indo-USA ties in the cotton and textiles sector growing strong.
India is a large market for nations who would like to engage in export trade. Not only in terms of manufactured goods, but there are also a lot of opportunities for technical and research collaboration.
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) is engaging with India in a positive way to build collaborations not only at industry level, but also at student levels. Recently, it formed the first chapter in fashion and design sector at Bengaluru-based M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences.
Gregg Woodcock, Executive Director of AATCC during his first ever visit to India is reaching out to stakeholders via his participation in Techtextil India event and the 78th annual conference of the Textile Association (India) organised by South India Unit during November 21-22, 2025, in Coimbatore.
The chapter at M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences is currently the active chapter of AATCC and will focus on knowledge dissemination, and participation in committee activities at AATCC which will be valuable for the Indian textile sector. As the Indian textile sector will face severe competition during the tariff regime, it can differentiate from other countries in terms of product offerings, enhanced quality, and branding. The collaboration with AATCC will help the industry to boost its export trade and diversify its market.
By bringing young professionals in international activities during their undergraduate studies with international professional associations will broaden their global approach, improve career prospects, and support the Indian textile sector.
Kanti Jasani, currently the Chair of the Membership Committee of ATATC who hails from Gujarat migrated to the United States of America in 1969 is a beneficiary of his association with AATCC and wants to create opportunities for Indian students and industry by creating tie-ups. He has been instrumental in myself engaging with industry and institutes in India to build strong relationship.
Dr Mamatha Hegde, Chair of the Department of Fashion Design at Ramaiah University, will serve as the Faculty Advisor for the first fashion design AATCC student chapter. “We are pleased to engage with an international professional association, AATCC which will create more awareness for our students who are next generation professionals on quality standards, new developments and interact with global leaders in the field of textiles and fashion design.
The engagement between India and United States is important in multiple fronts such as global politics, trade, and education.
Textile trade is at the forefront of building the relationship not only in export-import trade but also linking young professionals at Indian institutes with USA-based professional association.
As an Ambassador for AATCC in India, I am pleased to report that four chapters will be in action soon building positive relationships between United States and India.
About the author:
Dr Seshadri Ramkumar is a Professor, Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory in Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA. You can contact him on Email: s.ramkumar@ttu.edu