New Delhi, July 17: India Textiles 2026 has transformed Bharat Mandapam into the largest gathering of the global textile and apparel industry over its first three days. The event witnessed overwhelming participation from industry representatives, buyers, investors, policymakers, and experts from both domestic and international arenas, marking an unprecedented success. The exhibition space was bustling with record crowds, continuous business activities, extensive buyer-seller interactions, and knowledge exchanges, reaffirming India’s rapid emergence as a reliable destination for sourcing, manufacturing, innovation, and investment in the global textile sector.
Spanning over 1.6 million square feet, India Textiles 2026 featured 1,647 exhibitors and attracted nearly 95,000 business visitors, including over 20,000 repeat attendees and 6,090 international buyers from 138 countries. This event elevated global confidence in India’s textile industry. During the first three days, more than 28,500 B2B meetings, over 100 B2G and G2G dialogues, and numerous strategic investment discussions took place, keeping the exhibition hall vibrant with enthusiasm and business activities.
India Textiles 2026 has catalyzed investment proposals worth approximately ₹14,300 crores in the textile sector. During the event, over 30 memorandums of understanding were signed by various states, with Karnataka (₹2,821 crores and 11,020 jobs), Bihar (₹1,476 crores and over 40,500 jobs), Maharashtra (₹1,095 crores), and Andhra Pradesh (₹4,100 crores) leading the way. Additionally, RE and UP announced an investment of ₹4,800 crores in India. The event also garnered serious business inquiries valued at around $2.8 billion, showcasing India Textiles’ growing global relevance.
This year, state participation was notably impressive. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu made strong representations as state partners, while many other states and union territories showcased India’s diverse and rich textile traditions and industrial capabilities through their dedicated pavilions. The event’s stature was further enhanced by the visits of Chief Ministers Dr. Mohan Yadav of Madhya Pradesh and Bhagwant Singh Mann of Punjab, along with senior ministers from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Internationally, India Textiles 2026 received substantial support. Ministerial delegations from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Russia, Cambodia, and Portugal, along with representatives from the European Union, participated in the event. Additionally, over 30 industry and trade delegations from countries including the USA, Japan, the UK, Spain, Italy, South Korea, the UAE, Australia, France, and Germany actively contributed, solidifying India Textiles 2026 as one of the most influential platforms for global textile trade, investment, and collaboration.
The knowledge program was a key highlight of this year’s event. Over three days, 100 high-level knowledge sessions engaged more than 600 policymakers, global experts, industry leaders, CXOs, academics, and subject matter specialists. Discussions covered contemporary topics such as the global trade landscape, sustainable development, circular economy, technological innovations, artificial intelligence, responsible sourcing, investment opportunities, and technical textiles. These sessions provided new ideas and practical solutions to prepare the industry for the future.
A major attraction was the ‘Structure Hackathon’ held at the TBD Pavilion, which showcased the talent and creativity of young innovators in the field of technical textiles. Students and innovators from across the country presented practical textile-based innovations, such as protective clothing for farmers, advanced wound-care products for diabetes patients, and lightweight, thermal-resistant mattresses for extremely cold and remote areas. This initiative received praise from Honorable Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh and Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs, Pabitra Margerita. It exemplified how collaboration among academia, industry, and government can accelerate the development of socially beneficial technical textile solutions to meet future needs.
In a significant move towards inclusive development, a special exposure visit was organized for over 250 entrepreneurs and weavers from India’s aspirational districts. This program provided micro, small, and medium enterprises with direct interaction opportunities with international buyers, exhibitors, and industry experts. Participants gained insights into global quality standards, branding, product innovation, and export requirements, thereby equipping grassroots entrepreneurship with a new direction and global perspective.
India Textiles 2026 also hosted the International Apparel Federation’s board meeting, further strengthening India’s growing role in the global apparel industry. Representatives from leading apparel industry organizations worldwide participated in discussions on global trade, sourcing trends, competitiveness, sustainable development, and critical issues related to the future of the apparel industry. Hosting this important meeting solidified India’s reputation in the global textile and apparel sector.
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