The political economy of cotton and Bt cotton in India is discussed in the article by critically analysing the global trade of cotton, politics of scientific advancements in cotton crop and the evaluation of various research agencies to promote cotton cultivation in India. It is argued in the article that non-growers of cotton like the Europe and America have habituated cotton and emerged as leading producers of cotton. Their scientific advancements have not only achieved high yielding varieties but also high end machines in harvesting, processing of cotton lint, spinning and cloth making machines. The technological advancements at both ends, pre and post-harvest, has led the market conditions unfavourable to India and made dependent on the technologies of the others.