Starts to descend, holding on to Indian garment (5)

I believe the answer is:

dhoti

'garment' is the definition.
(dhoti is a kind of garment)

'starts to descend holding on to indian' is the wordplay.
'starts to' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'descend holding on to indian' is 'DHOTI'.

(Other definitions for dhoti that I've seen before include "Loincloth worn by Indians" , "Indian attire" , "pants in Goa?" , "article of clothing" , "Cloth round middle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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