Bharat Tex 2026 Opens with Record Global Textile Participation
Bharat Tex 2026, India’s largest global textile event, was inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh, bringing together governments, global buyers, industry leaders, investors and innovators to strengthen India’s position in the international textile value chain.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Shri Giriraj Singh highlighted the Government’s focus on transforming India’s textile ecosystem into a globally competitive manufacturing base capable of attracting investments, expanding exports and generating quality employment.
The Minister said India’s recently concluded Free Trade Agreements, including the India-Australia ECTA, the India-UAE and India-Oman CEPAs, and the India-UK CETA, are creating new opportunities for Indian textile exports by improving market access and strengthening integration with global supply chains. He added that negotiations with the European Union and other major economies are continuing to progress.
According to Shri Giriraj Singh, textiles will play a key role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, with exports targeted to rise from around USD 37.7 billion today to USD 100 billion by 2030. He identified Style, Scale, Skill and Sustainability as the key pillars guiding the sector’s future growth.
Speaking at the event, Shri Pabitra Margherita, Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles, said Bharat Tex has established itself over three editions as the world’s largest integrated textiles event and a symbol of India’s growing presence in the global textile and apparel industry.
He pointed to the European Union’s annual textile and apparel imports of over USD 292.8 billion, compared with India’s textile and apparel exports to the EU of around USD 10.4 billion, highlighting the potential for further growth. He also encouraged global buyers, brands and investors to explore partnerships with enterprises from India’s Northeast, particularly in natural fibres such as Eri, Muga and Mulberry silk.
Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, said, “The world no longer just sources from India, increasingly, the world chooses to partner with India.” She noted the national character of this year’s Bharat Tex, with eight sponsor States and nine participating States and Union Territories represented at the event.
She also highlighted policy initiatives including the Production Linked Incentive Scheme, the National Technical Textiles Mission, the Export Promotion Mission and Union Budget 2026-27 measures such as the National Fibre Scheme and the Tex-Eco Initiative, which are contributing to the Ministry’s Vision 2030 target of USD 100 billion in textile exports.
A key development at the inauguration was the exchange of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between the Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and Première Vision Paris. The LoI was signed by Ms. Florence Rousson, Chief Executive Officer, Fashion Division, Première Vision SA, and Shri Naren Goenka, Chairman, BTTF, in the presence of Shri Giriraj Singh.
The partnership will focus on exhibition collaboration, joint export promotion and the establishment of a Joint Steering Committee. It is expected to support greater cooperation in innovation, sustainability, design, trend intelligence, buyer-seller engagement and global market access, while creating new opportunities for Indian manufacturers, exporters, MSMEs and designers to connect with international brands and fashion houses.
Commenting on the partnership, Shri Giriraj Singh said, “This partnership is another significant step in positioning Bharat Tex as a truly global platform. It will help Indian MSMEs, first-time exporters and manufacturers connect with leading European buyers, while showcasing India’s strengths as a reliable, innovative and sustainable sourcing destination. It also reinforces India’s growing role as a trusted partner in the global textile value chain.”
Over the next four days, Bharat Tex 2026 will host more than 100 knowledge sessions, including 39 panel discussions, 16 roundtables, 37 masterclasses and 8 State sessions, supported by more than 50 knowledge partners. The sessions will cover trade and investment, sustainability, Industry 5.0, innovation, technical textiles, fashion, policy and global sourcing.
The event is also set to facilitate over 4,000 curated B2B meetings, more than 100 B2G meetings and the signing of over 30 MoUs covering trade, investment, technology, sustainability and market access.
The CITI Textile Sustainability Awards 2026 will also be held during the event, recognising responsible business practices across Resource Efficiency, Energy & Emissions, Circular Economy, Sustainable Materials, Social Responsibility, Responsible Business and Industry Collaboration.
Bharat Tex 2026 is further using its Mobile App and Pre-Fair Directory to support exhibitor discovery, meeting scheduling, event navigation, QR-based lead capture, digital badge access, AI-assisted support and advance buyer-seller matchmaking.
By bringing together governments, industry, innovators, investors and buyers, Bharat Tex 2026 is reinforcing India’s ambition to become a globally trusted textile manufacturing and sourcing hub while supporting the development of resilient, sustainable and future-ready textile value chains.
