The war in West Asia has led to a significant increase in input costs for Indian manufacturers, particularly in the footwear and textile sectors. Sudhir Rustagi, promoter director of Ess Aar Universal in Noida, reported a 15% rise in sole production costs, primarily due to a 50% increase in polyurethane rubber prices and disrupted supply chains for mono-ethylene glycol. The footwear industry, which employs approximately 4.42 million people, is experiencing a 25% drop in turnover as companies struggle to operate at half capacity. Labor shortages are also impacting production, with some workers returning home due to cooking gas shortages. The textile sector is facing similar challenges, with prices for poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET) rising by 20-30% and export orders declining significantly. The Indian government is regulating gas supplies to industrial users, leading to fears of further disruptions. As a result, manufacturers are caught between rising costs and the inability to pass these increases onto consumers, threatening the viability of their operations.