Bharat Tex 2026 Highlights Global Growth Roadmap for Indian Brands, Designers and Artisans

Industry leaders discuss branding, sustainability, craftsmanship and omnichannel strategies to strengthen the global presence of Indian textile and lifestyle brands.

India's textile and apparel sector is moving beyond its traditional manufacturing strengths towards greater recognition for design, quality and cultural identity. With textile and apparel exports reaching approximately INR 3.16 lakh crore in 2025–26 and a target of INR 9 lakh crore by 2030, the session explored how Indian brands can build stronger global identities, strengthen omnichannel capabilities and respond to evolving consumer expectations and regulatory requirements in international markets.

The session, “Indian Brands, Global Ambitions: Redefining Retail Growth Beyond Borders,” was organised on 16 July 2026 during Bharat Tex 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

More than 20 distinguished panelists, including Indian brands, luxury designers, e-commerce platforms and industry leaders from PDS, Welspun World, Neytt Homes, Pashmina.com, ExpoBazaar and Trident, participated in the discussion. The panel shared perspectives on strengthening retail competitiveness, scaling Indian brands globally and leveraging innovation to enter international markets.

Addressing textile and apparel brands, designers, e-commerce platforms, retailers, exporters and innovation leaders, Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh spoke about opportunities for Indian artisans, designers and MSMEs to build globally recognised brands while preserving India's craftsmanship, textile traditions and cultural heritage.

He underlined the importance of quality, sustainability and traceability, alongside production scale, for Indian brands seeking greater presence in global markets. Referring to the role of artisans and weavers, the Minister stated, "Artisans Bharat ki punji hain," adding that initiatives such as Bharat Tex 2026 provide opportunities to showcase craftsmanship, connect artisans with international buyers and support sustainable livelihoods while preserving India's textile heritage.

The Minister further stated, "It's an opportune moment for Indian brands, designers, and artisans to position themselves as leading voices in the global arena."

He also called for greater support to manufacturers, artisans and weavers, describing them as India's greatest strength and emphasising that empowering them is essential for achieving inclusive and globally competitive growth in the textile sector.

Designers Vaishali Shadangule and Rahul Mishra shared their experiences regarding the growing international recognition of Indian brands and traditional crafts.

Vaishali Shadangule said her initiative began with four weaving families and has grown into a community where more than 90 per cent of the weavers are young women. She also spoke about her vision to revive 100 lost weaves of India, stating, “If you want to capture the global market, you have to showcase the strengths of Indian weaves.”

Shri Nand Kishore Chaudhary, Founder of Jaipur Rugs, said authentic storytelling remains one of the strongest differentiators for brands, observing that stronger connections with cultural roots make brands more difficult to replicate.

Rahul Mishra stated, “Focus on remaining true to Indian craftsmanship rather than altering designs to suit every geography, noting that authenticity itself is a source of differentiation.” He further added that handmade crafts and handlooms represent the soul of India, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence.

Representatives from e-commerce platforms highlighted the role of marketplaces and omnichannel strategies in international expansion. Shri Srinidhi Kalvapudi, Country Head, Amazon Global Selling, said the platform supports more than two lakh sellers, including artisans from tier-two and tier-three cities.

Emphasising the importance of brand development, she remarked, “India should not only export more but also be remembered more,” adding that “building brands is no longer optional; it is existential.”

Panelists also discussed the use of technology, data and artificial intelligence, including AI-enabled regional language solutions. Other suggestions included developing a trust mark, improving sample logistics support and introducing incentives for business-to-consumer exports.

Large manufacturers highlighted the need to strengthen India's manufacturing ecosystem, supply chains and global competitiveness. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi, Senior Executive Vice President & Head Corporate & Industry Affairs, Reliance Industries, highlighted the role of integrated manufacturing clusters in improving scale and operational efficiency.

Shri Venkatesalu Palaniswamy, Managing Director, Trent, stressed the need to build a stronger global identity for Indian textiles through consistency in quality, delivery and services while improving transparency and speed across the value chain.

Speakers also discussed India's cotton value chain and suggested the establishment of a central institution providing end-to-end support for building global brands, drawing comparisons with NASSCOM. Sustainability and collaboration between exporters and designers were also identified as important factors for expanding international market access.

Senior officials participating in the session reinforced these themes. Shri Jawed Ashraf (IFS), Chairman, ITPO, emphasised that India should be recognised for both quality and quantity, while noting that exhibitions continue to play an important role for MSMEs.

Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, highlighted the importance of stronger designer houses, shared infrastructure and improved e-commerce visibility, noting that brand building requires long-term effort.

The session concluded with discussions on strengthening collaboration between government and industry to improve the international recognition of Indian brands through greater visibility for crafts, cluster development, storytelling and content.