Ministry of Textiles to Host 'GI & Beyond 2.0 Summit' to Elevate India's Handloom Heritage

The Ministry of Textiles, alongside the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) and the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), will host the 'GI & Beyond 2.0 Summit' in New Delhi on August 5, 2026. Designed to elevate India's Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged handloom and handicraft heritage, the event brings together international buyers from roughly 10 nations, exporters, textile brands, MNCs, and industry stakeholders. Attendees will experience live demonstrations, thematic exhibitions, and a showcase of over 100 GI-registered crafts aimed at expanding market access both domestically and globally. The inaugural session will mark the launch of the Digital Handloom Atlas to directly connect artisans with global markets, alongside the unveiling of HEPC’s Diamond Jubilee logo and the distribution of GI certificates. Additionally, the summit will highlight technical sessions on IP rights and registration, highlighted by an IIT Madras presentation on using artificial intelligence to fortify the GI ecosystem and drive international growth for India's traditional craft sector.