New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday inaugurated Bharat Tex 2026 at the Bharat Mandapam here, marking the commencement of the world’s largest integrated textile value chain event with participation of exhibitors from more than 14 countries including the US, Europe and Japan.

In his inaugural address, Giriraj Singh said that Bharat Tex has, within just three editions, evolved into a globally recognised platform for trade, investment, innovation and policy dialogue, reflecting the confidence of the global textile industry in India’s manufacturing capabilities, policy ecosystem and long-term growth potential.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s 5F Vision from “Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign”, the Union Minister added that Bharat Tex has become a powerful platform connecting Indian enterprise with global markets while strengthening India’s position across international textile value chains.

Reflecting Bharat Tex’s growing international stature, the inaugural ceremony also witnessed the exchange of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between the Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and Premiere Vision Paris, one of the world’s foremost textile and fashion sourcing platforms.

The LoI was signed by Florence Rousson, Chief Executive Officer of Premiere Vision SA’s Fashion Division, and Naren Goenka, BTTF Chairman.

The partnership establishes a framework across three areas: an exhibition partnership between Bharat Tex and Premiere Vision Paris, joint export promotion to enhance the visibility of Indian and French manufacturers in European and global markets, and a Joint Steering Committee to guide implementation.

Union Minister 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.”

International exhibitors from 14 countries, including the US, the UK, Japan, Portugal, Spain, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa and Nepal, are participating, alongside institutional representation from the United Nations and European Union, and key industry sponsors, including Trident, Vardhman Textiles, RSWM, Shahi Exports, Colorjet, Arvind and PDS Limited.

Over four days, the event serves as a comprehensive platform for trade, investment, policy dialogue and international business engagement, bringing together stakeholders from across the global textile value chain.

Organised by the Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) with the support of the Union Ministry of Textiles, Bharat Tex 2026 has brought together more than 6,000 buyers from over 130 countries, and more than 1.3 lakh trade visitors, spanning more than 1.6 million square feet of exhibition space and featuring more than 20,000 textile products, reaffirming India’s emergence as a trusted global sourcing destination and a strategic partner in resilient, sustainable and innovation-driven textile value chains.

Beyond the inaugural stage, Bharat Tex 2026 will host more than 350 speakers, including international experts, industry leaders, CXOs, policymakers and thought leaders from more than 20 countries, supported by a dedicated International Pavilion for structured cross-border engagement.

Industry and business delegations from the US, Japan, Spain, the UK, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, New Zealand, the UAE, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, among others, are expected over the four days.

Special bilateral sessions will cover the India-US cotton partnership, the India-New Zealand wool ecosystem, the India-UK Free Trade Agreement in action, a dedicated Japan delegation engagement and Russia-focused textile discussions.

Bharat Tex 2026 showcases India’s complete textile ecosystem, with thousands of business exhibitors spanning fibres, yarns, fabrics, apparel and fashion, home textiles, technical textiles, handlooms, handicrafts, machinery and ancillary industries, alongside India’s renowned textile clusters such as Tirupur, Ichalkaranji and Ahmedabad.

–IANS

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