Same basic style of clothing: The Yemeni futa (also called izaar or ma’awaz) is a rectangular wrap-around cloth for the lower body, essentially the same type of garment as the Indian lungi (and similar to a dhoti in some forms). Both are lightweight, often patterned or checkered cotton wraps worn by men in hot climates.

Shared Indian Ocean tradition: Wrap-around lower garments of this kind are common across the Indian Ocean region — India/South Asia, Yemen, Somalia, parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and Southeast Asia (where similar items are called sarongs). This reflects long-standing cultural and climatic similarities rather than isolated inventions.

Linguistic link: The Arabic word futa itself has roots connected to India. Medieval sources note that it derives from a word used in Sind (in the Indian subcontinent).

Historical textile trade: For centuries, Indian cotton cloth and finished textiles were traded across the Indian Ocean to Yemen (especially via ports like Aden). Documents from the medieval period (including the Cairo Geniza) mention futas being sent between Egypt, Aden, and India. Indian textiles influenced clothing styles throughout the region.

Broader Yemen–India ties that supported cultural exchange: Ancient maritime trade (spices, incense, textiles, and other goods) linked Yemeni ports with western India. There were also movements of people, including Yemeni mercenaries who served in Indian armies and Indian trading communities connected to Yemen.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5902701&forum_id=2Elisa#50129672)