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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know US-India News India Times (July 5, 2025 - July 11, 2025) July 11, 2025 6 After Prada ‘Sandal Scandal’, Indian Brands Tap Heritage Pride To Boost Sales I ndian footwear sellers and artisans are tapping into nationalist pride stoked by the Prada ‘sandal scandal’ in a bid to boost sales of ethnic slippers with history dating back to the 12th century, raising hopes of reviving a struggling craft. Sales are surging over the past week for the ‘Kolhapuri’ sandals that have garnered global attention after Prada sparked a controversy by showcasing similar designs in Milan, without initially crediting the footwear’s origins. After viral photos from a fashion show drew criticism from Indian artisans who make the sandals – named after a historic city in Maharashtra state – Prada was forced to acknowledge that its new open-toe footwear was inspired by ancient Indian designs. “Prada 0: Kolhapur 1,” said an Instagram post by e-commerce website Shopkop, whose founder Rahul Parasu Kamble’s open letter to Prada pointing out the footwear is “soaked in tradition” was reshared 36,000 times on social media. “I saw the controversy as a way to promote Kolhapuri,” said Kamble, 33, who has seen sales of sandals he sources from local artisans touch 50,000 rupees ($584) in three days, five times the average. Social media has been abuzz in recent days with criti- cism and sarcastic memes, with politicians, artisans and a trade body demanding due credit to Indian heritage. Prada has said it will arrange follow-up meetings with artisans. In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, it added the Italian group intends to make the sandals in India in collaboration with local manufacturers, if it commer- cialises them. BREEZY ADS, BIG DISCOUNTS India’s luxury market is small but growing, with the rich splurging on Lamborghini cars and pricey watches. Prada does not have a single retail store in India and its products are usually reserved for the super rich – its men’s leather sandals start retailing at $844, while Kolha- puris can be priced as low as $12. But linking of the Prada name to the Kolhapuri san- dals, which are made by around 7,000 artisans, is provid- ing a business opportunity for some. Mumbai-based Ira Soles is running new Facebook and Instagram advertisements which proclaim its $32 “Tan Handcrafted Kolhapuris just walked the ramp at Prada … Limited stock. Global spotlight. Own a piece of what the world is applauding.”. E-commerce website Niira is offering up to 50% discounts on its Kolhapuri slippers it says are “rooted in tradition”. Its sales of $18 sandals, that looked like the one Prada showcased in Milan, have tripled, founder Nishant Raut said. “Why can’t an Indian Kolhapuri brand become as big as a Birkenstock,” he said. Handmade in small factories, Kolhapuri sandals, or chappals as they are called in Hindi, are often paired with Indian attire. Similar designs are sold in big outlets of Bata India and Metro Brands, and also on Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart. In 2021, India’s government said the sandals could achieve $1 billion a year in exports. Though latest esti- mates are not available, artisans say the business has struggled as consumers increasingly opt for more fash- ionable, upmarket footwear. Still, the Prada controversy is breathing new life into a craft that Lalit Gandhi, president of Maharashtra’s main industry lobby group, says is “a dying art”. Gandhi said he is in talks with Prada to develop a co-branded, limited- edition sandal. Kolhapur craftsmen Ashok Doiphode, 50, is pinning hopes on a Prada boost. He hand-stitches sandals for nine hours daily but can sell a pair for just 400 rupees ($5). “If big companies like Prada come, craftsman like me can get a good price.” - Reuters By Dhwani Pandya, Arpan Chaturvedi and Elisa Anzolin US, India Push For Trade Pact After Trump Strikes Deal With Vietnam, Sources Say U .S. and India trade negotiators were pushing onWednesday to try to land a tariff-reducing deal ahead of President Donald Trump’s July 9 negotiating deadline, but disagreements over U.S. dairy and ag- riculture remained unresolved, sources familiar with the talks said. The push comes as Trump announced an agreement with Vietnam that cuts U.S. tariffs on many Vietnamese goods to 20% from his previously threatened 46%. Trump said that U.S. products could enter Vietnam duty free, but details were scant. Trump threatened a 26% duty on Indian goods as part of his April 2 “Libera- tion Day” reciprocal tariffs, which were temporarily lowered to 10% to buy time for negotiations. Sources in India’s commerce ministry said that a trade delegation from India was still inWashington a week after arriv- ing for talks that started last Thursday and Friday. They may stay longer to conclude a deal, but without compromising on key agricultural and dairy issues, the sources said, adding that it was unacceptable to lower tariffs on genetically modified corn, soybeans, rice and wheat grown in the U.S. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government “doesn’t want to be seen as surrendering the interests of farmers – a strong political group in the country,” one of the sources said. However, India is open to lowering tariffs on walnuts, cranberries and other fruits, along with medical devices, autos and energy products, the source said. A U.S. source familiar with the talks said that there were “indications that they are close” and negotiators have been told to prepare for a potential announcement. The source added that “there’s been intense and constructive effort to close a deal. I think both sides understand the strategic importance, beyond the eco- nomic importance, of closing a deal.” Trump echoed those sentiments on Tuesday, telling reporters on Air Force One that he could reach a deal with India that would cut tariffs for both countries and help American companies compete in India’s market of 1.4 billion consumers. At the same time, Trump cast doubt on a potential deal with Japan, saying he may impose a tariff of 30% or 35% on Japanese goods, well above the 24% duty rate he announced on April 2. Japan is seeking to lower separate 25% automotive and steel tariffs that Trump imposed. Spokespersons for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, the Commerce Department and the U.S. Treasury did not respond to request for comment on the state of trade negotiations with India and other countries. A spokesperson for India’s embassy inWashington did not respond immediately to a request for comment. - Reuters By David Lawder and Manoj Kumar PHOTO:REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo U.S. President Donald Trump listens as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a joint press conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 13, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS/Bhawika Chhabra A shopkeeper waits for customers as he sits next to ‘Kolhapuri’ sandals, an Indian ethnic footwear, at a store in New Delhi, India, July 1, 2025.