New Delhi, 13 July (H.S.):

More than 20 countries will participate in the four-day global textile event, Bharat Tex 2026, beginning July 14 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Ministerial-level delegations from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Cambodia, and Brunei are among those expected to attend. More than 60,000 visitors have already registered for the event.

The announcement was made on Monday at Bharat Mandapam by Bharat Tex Trade Federation Chairman Naren Goenka and Co-Chairman Bhadresh Dodia.

Earlier in the day, Weave the Future 4.0 – Upcycling Edition was organised at Dilli Haat with the objective of promoting circularity, sustainability, and innovation in the textile sector. The event was inaugurated by Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh.

Another event, Indie Haat – A Celebration of India's Rich Handloom and Handicraft Heritage, was also organised at the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy near Bharat Mandapam. The initiative aims to showcase India's rich handloom and handicrafts heritage while attracting domestic and international buyers.

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 5F Vision—Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign—the mega event is designed to strengthen India's position in the global textile industry. Organised by the Bharat Tex Trade Federation with the support of the Ministry of Textiles, the expo highlights India's leadership in textiles, fashion, sustainability, and international trade.

Naren Goenka described the event as the most ambitious edition of Bharat Tex to date. He said thousands of exhibitors, more than 7,000 buyers, and delegates from over 20 countries will gather at Bharat Mandapam on Tuesday.

Bhadresh Dodia said the primary objective of the event is not merely to facilitate discussions but to translate them into business opportunities. More than 4,000 business-to-business (B2B) meetings and the signing of over 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected during the four-day event, creating direct benefits for manufacturers, exporters, and global partners.

International exhibitors from 14 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Spain, and Nepal, will participate in the exhibition. Representatives from the United Nations and the European Union will also attend. Special bilateral sessions will focus on the India–US Cotton Partnership, the India–New Zealand Wool Ecosystem, implementation of the India–UK Free Trade Agreement, meetings with the Japanese delegation, and textile-related discussions centred on Russia.

Eight sponsor states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, will play a prominent role in the event, while nine states and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, and Rajasthan, will participate as exhibitors.

To promote investments across states, dedicated State Investor Connect sessions will be organised. These sessions will provide states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu an opportunity to showcase their industrial infrastructure and linkages with the PM MITRA Parks initiative.

India Exposition Mart Limited (IEML) Chairman Dr. Rakesh Kumar said the festival would cater to everyone, from the country's largest exporters to its smallest entrepreneurs. He expressed confidence that when the event opens on Tuesday, it will mark a milestone in the history of India's textile industry.

The global platform will feature more than 350 speakers and international exporters from over 20 countries. Bilateral discussions will cover key topics such as the India–US Cotton Partnership and the India–UK Free Trade Agreement. In addition, more than 100 knowledge sessions focusing on emerging technologies, sustainable development, and opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be organised.

The programme will include 39 panel discussions, 16 roundtable conferences, 37 masterclasses, and eight state-level sessions, supported by more than 50 knowledge partners. The CITI Textile Sustainability Awards 2026 will also be presented to recognise initiatives promoting sustainable business practices and environmental conservation.

To make business interactions more seamless and data-driven, Bharat Tex has also launched its dedicated mobile application and digital business platform for this edition of the event.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar