By — Dilip Guha
State-led industrial growth, investment promotion and expanding global trade partnerships dominated the second day of Bharat Tex 2026, as policymakers, industry leaders and international trade experts converged to chart the future of India’s textile and apparel sector. Running from 14 to 17 July 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the flagship textile event continued to serve as a comprehensive platform showcasing India’s rich textile heritage alongside its manufacturing strength, innovation ecosystem and growing global aspirations, organised by the Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) with the support of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
Yesterday’s proceedings underscored the pivotal role of State Governments in driving the next phase of India’s textile growth. During dedicated state sessions, leading textile-producing states shared their policy frameworks, manufacturing capabilities, and investment potential across the textile value chain, reinforcing the Centre’s vision of creating globally competitive textile hubs.
Through a series of high-level policy dialogues, investment-focused state sessions and discussions on global trade, sustainability and innovation, the crucial role of collaborative governance in shaping India’s textile future. By bringing together governments, industry leaders, manufacturers, exporters, designers, investors and global buyers on a common platform, the event continued to strengthen India’s position as a globally connected, investment-ready and future-focused textile powerhouse.
The Uttar Pradesh State Session, organised by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the state’s rapidly expanding textile ecosystem spanning manufacturing, apparel, handloom, handicrafts and allied sectors. The session showcased Uttar Pradesh’s efforts to emerge as a preferred investment destination through infrastructure development, skilled workforce and policy support. Shri Rakesh Sachan, Minister for Handloom and Textiles, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Shri Ravindra Jaiswal, Minister of Stamp and Court Fee and Registration, Government of Uttar Pradesh, were among the key dignitaries who addressed the gathering.
The Government of Maharashtra presented a dedicated session titled “Maharashtra: An Attractive Global Destination for Technical Textiles in India,” focusing on the state’s emergence as a major hub for high-performance and specialised textiles. Shri Sanjay Savkare, Minister of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra, emphasised the state’s strengths in technology-driven manufacturing, innovation and investment-friendly policies. The discussion highlighted the increasing significance of technical textiles in supporting industrial applications and strengthening India’s manufacturing competitiveness.
International trade and market access formed another major pillar of the day’s programme. A session by ITMF and ASSOCHAM, titled “Scaling Through Synergy: Building Local Capability to Power Global Textile Value Chains,” explored strategies to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities while integrating Indian enterprises more effectively into global supply chains. Complementing this, Deloitte’s roundtable discussion, “India’s FTA Moment: Gateway for Textile Value Chains, Market Access and Sourcing Decisions,” examined how India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements could unlock new opportunities for textile manufacturers, exporters and sourcing organisations by improving market access and strengthening value-chain integration.
The conversation on building globally recognised Indian fashion brands also gained prominence during the day. Renowned designers Rahul Mishra and Vaishali Shadangule participated in a session titled “Global Ambitions: Redefining Retail Growth Beyond Borders,” where they discussed the evolving global identity of Indian fashion and the opportunities for home-grown brands in international markets. A fireside conversation organised by NIFT, “Building Global Fashion Enterprises from India: Innovation, Sustainability and Scale,” further explored how Indian fashion businesses can expand globally through innovation, sustainable practices and scalable business models.
Strengthening the international trade agenda, Deloitte organised a ministerial discussion titled “India–UK CETA in Action: Shaping the Future of Textile Trade and Investment,” which examined the opportunities emerging from the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. The session focused on how the agreement could enhance bilateral textile trade, attract investments and deepen business collaborations between the two countries.
Supply-chain resilience also featured prominently in the discussions. Heartland Industries hosted a session titled “Beyond China: Building Tariff-Safe, Compliant & Traceable Hemp Supply Chains for Global Markets,” highlighting the growing importance of diversified sourcing networks, regulatory compliance and traceability in building resilient export-oriented textile supply chains.
Recognising excellence in sustainable manufacturing, the CITI Textile Sustainability Awards 2026 honoured organisations demonstrating leadership across seven key areas—Resource Efficiency, Energy & Emissions, Circular Economy, Sustainable Materials, Social Responsibility, Responsible Business and Industry Collaboration—reflecting the industry’s increasing commitment to responsible and environmentally conscious growth.
Karnataka Signs 12 MoUs Worth ₹2,821 Crore, Generating Over 11,000 Jobs
Equally significant was the Karnataka State Session, which projected the state’s robust industrial base, strong textile and apparel manufacturing capabilities and favourable business environment for domestic and international enterprises. The session highlighted Karnataka’s growing importance as a sourcing and manufacturing destination supported by innovation, technology and skilled human resources.
Karnataka reaffirmed its stature as one of India’s premier textile and apparel investment destinations during a high-profile session on “Investment Opportunities in Karnataka” at Bharat Tex 2026. The event brought together senior government officials, leading textile manufacturers, investors, and industry stakeholders to spotlight the state’s industrial strengths and the transformative potential of the upcoming PM MITRA Park at Kalaburagi.
The session opened with a dynamic video presentation showcasing Karnataka’s industrial ecosystem, world-class infrastructure, and investment-ready opportunities. Delivering the special address, Shri A. B. Basavaraj, IAS, Commissioner for Textile Development and Director of Handlooms & Textiles, highlighted the state’s progressive policy framework and the strategic role of the PM MITRA Park in attracting investments across spinning, technical textiles, apparel, processing, and value-added manufacturing.
Adding to the vision, Smt. Garima Panwar, IAS, Managing Director of the Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation (KHDC), invited yarn manufacturers and apparel companies to collaborate with KHDC in strengthening the handloom value chain. She emphasised the importance of partnerships that enhance market linkages, empower artisan communities, and drive sustainable growth.
The keynote address by Smt. Rohini Sindhuri, IAS, Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department, underscored why Karnataka is the right destination for textile and apparel investments at this juncture. She detailed the rapid progress of the PM MITRA Park, the forthcoming Textile and Apparel Policy, and the state’s strong industrial ecosystem, skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, and investor-friendly governance. She reaffirmed Karnataka’s commitment to building a globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem that fosters innovation, sustainability, and employment generation.
A panel discussion moderated by Mr Sanjay Arora, Business Director, Wazir Advisors, featured industry leaders including Mr Joseph Malit Thomas (Shahi Exports Pvt. Ltd.), Mr Naren Goenka (Texport Industries Pvt. Ltd.), Mr. Prabhath Singh (Gokaldas Exports Ltd.), and Mr Vimal Kedia (Manjushree Spintex Pvt. Ltd.). Sharing their expansion experiences in Karnataka, they highlighted the state’s inherent strengths—skilled workforce, compliance culture, ease of doing business, supportive policies, and quality infrastructure—cementing its reputation as a preferred destination for textile investments. The session culminated in the signing of 12 MoUs worth ₹2,821 crore, with the potential to generate over 11,020 direct jobs. The agreements were inked with leading companies including Shahi Exports Pvt. Ltd. (2 MoUs), Klene Paks Pvt. Ltd., Manjushree Spintex Pvt. Ltd., Colortone Textiles Pvt. Ltd. (2 MoUs), Janatha Technical Textile Park, Bright Global Pvt. Ltd., PurpleStar Hygiene Pvt. Ltd. (2 MoUs), and Rishi FIBC Pvt. Ltd. (2 MoUs). These commitments span apparel manufacturing, technical textiles, packaging, synthetic textiles, and industrial textiles—reinforcing Karnataka’s emergence as a diversified textile hub.
The investment commitments span multiple segments of the textile and apparel value chain, including apparel manufacturing, technical textiles, packaging, synthetic textiles, and industrial textiles, reinforcing Karnataka’s emergence as a preferred destination for diversified textile investments.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Shri C. S. Yogesh, Additional Director (Textile Policy), expressed gratitude to dignitaries, industry leaders, and investors for their participation and support. With the development of the 1,000-acre PM MITRA Park at Kalaburagi, backed by progressive policies and strong institutional support, Karnataka is charting a bold path toward becoming a globally integrated textile manufacturing powerhouse. The state’s vision of sustainable industrial growth, innovation, and employment generation was powerfully reaffirmed at Bharat Tex 2026.
