President Droupadi Murmu attended the convocation of the Footwear Design and Development Institute in New Delhi on December 1, 2025 along with Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal where she praised the rising strength of India’s footwear industry and urged students to drive its next phase of growth.
She said India is becoming more self reliant with a stronger role in the global economy. She welcomed the government’s push that has marked footwear as a Champion Sector under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan which aims to boost local manufacturing.
She added that the government is building an ecosystem with incentives to draw more investment into footwear.
The President highlighted how India is now the 2nd largest producer and consumer of footwear in the world. In 2024-25 India exported footwear worth just over 2.5 billion USD while imports stood at about 680 million USD which means exports were almost four times higher.
She said India is already a major exporter but the industry still has huge room to grow which will open more opportunities for young designers and entrepreneurs.
She also welcomed the new MoU signed between FDDI and the University of Northampton. She said it adds strength to India’s Free Trade Agreement efforts with the United Kingdom.
The MoU focuses on sustainable materials and circular economy practices which she said show both countries’ commitment to the environment.
The President reminded students that footwear design is not just about style. She urged them to work with a wider purpose that improves health and comfort for people creates jobs supports those left behind in development boosts India’s exports represents India as a quality brand in global markets and contributes to the nation’s goal of a Self reliant India.
