Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday said India will now receive rightful credit for the design of Kolhapuri chappals when they are exported, asserting that the iconic footwear is a Geographical Indication (GI) product of the country.

“When a global brand used the design of our Kolhapuri chappals, the Commerce Ministry immediately took action on it. Going forward, when the Kolhapuri chappal is exported, India will get due credit for its design. It is India’s GI product,” said Goyal while speaking about the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The statement comes after global luxury brand Prada sparked a controversy by showcasing Kolhapuri-style sandals in its Men’s Spring Collection at Milan Fashion Week, priced at Rs 1.2 lakh. The brand made no reference to the chappals’ Indian roots, the artisans who craft them, or their cultural significance.

He added that global brands are increasingly interested in associating with Indian products. “Many global brands are expressing their desire to associate their names with Indian products and sell them in global markets. The Kolhapuri Chappal can have a business of Rs 8000–10000 crores in the international market,” he said.

Kolhapuri chappals were granted a GI tag by the Government of India in 2019. The handmade leather footwear traces its origin back to the 12th century and is traditionally crafted by cobbler communities in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Recently, actor Kareena Kapoor also took a swipe at the fashion label for allegedly copying the design. Sharing a picture of herself wearing the traditional footwear, she captioned it, “Sorry not Prada but my OG Kolhapuri,” making her stance clear.

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