Strong Business Activity, Record Participation and Major Investments Highlight India’s Growing Textile Leadership
Bharat Tex 2026 received an extraordinary response turning Bharat Mandapam into a vibrant meeting ground for the global textile and apparel industry. The impressive scale of participation, sustained buyer engagement and significant investment announcements have further strengthened India’s standing as a preferred destination for textile sourcing, manufacturing and innovation.
Spread across over 16 lakh square feet, the event featured 1,647 exhibitors and welcomed nearly 95,000 business visitors, including 11,315 buyers and 6,090 international buyers. More than 3,461 delegates and participants from 138 countries attended the event. Over 28,500 B2B meetings and more than 100 B2G and G2G interactions generated qualified business enquiries estimated at USD 2.8 billion.
The event also attracted textile investment commitments of approximately ₹14,300 crore, supported by over 30 MoUs signed by various States. Major announcements included ₹4,100 crore from Andhra Pradesh, ₹2,821 crore from Karnataka, ₹1,476 crore from Bihar and ₹1,095 crore from Maharashtra. These investments are expected to create substantial employment, including more than 40,500 jobs in Bihar and 11,020 jobs in Karnataka. RE&UP separately announced an investment of ₹4,800 crore in India.
announced an investment of ₹4,800 crore in India.
Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu participated as State Partners, while several other States and Union Territories presented their capabilities through dedicated pavilions. The participation of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Punjab Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Singh Mann and senior ministers from several States reflected the event’s growing national importance.
The international presence was equally noteworthy, with ministerial delegations from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Russia, Cambodia and Portugal, along with representatives from the European Union. More than 30 overseas industry and business delegations attended from major textile markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, Spain, South Korea, the UAE, Australia, France and Germany.
Knowledge exchange remained a major strength of Bharat Tex 2026, with 100 sessions featuring over 600 policymakers, industry leaders, global experts, CXOs and academicians. Discussions covered international trade, sustainability, circularity, artificial intelligence, responsible sourcing, technical textiles, technology and investment opportunities.
The Sanrachna Hackathon at the TBD Pavilion drew appreciation for presenting practical innovations in technical textiles, including protective clothing for farmers, diabetic wound-care solutions and lightweight insulated mattresses for extreme weather conditions. The initiative was recognised by Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh and Minister of State Shri Pabitra Margherita. Special exposure visits were also organised for over 250 entrepreneurs and weavers from Aspirational Districts, enabling them to connect with buyers and understand global standards, branding and export opportunities.
A major international development was the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Bharat Tex Trade Federation and Première Vision Paris. The collaboration is expected to expand India–EU cooperation in sustainable sourcing, design intelligence, market access and buyer engagement. The International Apparel Federation also held its Board Meeting alongside the event.
CMAI’s Brands of India Pavilion emerged as a prominent attraction, showcasing more than 70 Indian apparel brands. A dedicated Intimate & Innerwear section was introduced for the first time, highlighting new products from leading brands based in Mumbai and Delhi. The Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub, jointly presented by CMAI and the Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability, further demonstrated practical approaches towards building a sustainable, circular and globally competitive textile industry. With energetic exhibition halls, productive meetings and exceptional international participation, Bharat Tex 2026 has established an inspiring new benchmark for industry collaboration and reaffirmed India’s growing leadership across the global textile and apparel value chain.
