Union minister for commerce and industry Piyush Goyal on Friday called for greater global exposure for Indian art and culture, saying it would benefit the country and create commercial opportunities for local artisans.
Speaking at an event in Delhi, Goyal cited the controversy over Prada’s use of Kolhapuri-style footwear last year and the subsequent engagement between the luxury fashion brand and Kolhapuri shoemakers as an example of how greater international exposure could benefit Indian artisans.
“We had raised an objection through our copyright office and stopped Prada. Prada was then forced to engage with Kolhapuri shoemakers. They reached an understanding that also provides commercial benefits to our people. As our global presence is still limited. Greater international exposure for Indian art, culture, handicrafts, handlooms, history and traditions will benefit the country.
We should be more outward-looking and take our art and culture global,” the minister said at the event.
Prada later signed agreements with government-backed leather artisan bodies—Maharashtra’s LIDCOM and Karnataka’s LIDKAR. In June 2025, Prada faced severe backlash and legal challenges for cultural appropriation after it showcased an open-toe leather toe-ring sandals resembling traditional Indian Kolhapuri chappals at a fashion show in Milan, Italy. Kolhapuri chappals carry a 2019 Geographical Indication or GI tag.
‘India’s next phase of economic transformation must be driven by young entrepreneurs’
Goyal said India’s next phase of economic transformation would need to be driven by young entrepreneurs with a global outlook and the ambition to create world-class brands.
