Varanasi: The iconic GI-tagged Banarasi sarees and zari craftsmanship are set to take centre stage at Bharat Tex 2026, India’s biggest global textile exhibition, where the city’s centuries-old weaving tradition will be showcased before thousands of international buyers, investors and fashion brands.The four-day event, which kicked off at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on Tuesday, is expected to open new export avenues for Kashi’s renowned handloom industry while reinforcing the Uttar Pradesh government’s “Local to Global” vision.The Uttar Pradesh govt is providing artisans, manufacturers and exporters with a major platform to showcase their products before a global audience. Textile manufacturers and exporters from Varanasi will use Bharat Tex 2026 to promote Banarasi sarees, silk products and readymade garments in international markets.Banarasi silk sarees and zari-crafted textiles, renowned for their intricate motifs, fine weaving and exquisite gold and silver thread work, are expected to make a strong impression on global buyers. Kusum, deputy commissioner, Industries (Enforcement), Handloom and Textiles, Varanasi, said that 10 manufacturers and exporters from Varanasi’s saree, silk and readymade garment sector have registered to exhibit their products at the event.The exhibition is being seen as a major opportunity to connect Kashi’s traditional weaving and zari craftsmanship with international markets. Bharat Tex 2026, regarded as India’s largest global textile event, will bring the country’s entire textile value chain under one roof with the theme of linking Indian textile excellence with global growth.Organised by the Bharat Tex Trade Federation with support from the Ministry of Textiles, the four-day event will bring together domestic and international manufacturers, exporters, global buyers, fashion brands, investors, designers, startups and policymakers.More than 7,000 buyers, around 1.3 lakh business visitors and over 20,000 textile products are expected at the event. Spread across nearly 16 lakh square feet, the exhibition will feature over 1,600 exhibitors. Based on the govt’s 5F vision — Farm to Fibre, Factory, Fashion and Foreign — the event aims to promote investment, trade, innovation and global partnerships across the textile sector.This edition of Bharat Tex will also witness participation from textile industry representatives from 14 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Spain, Portugal, South Korea, South Africa and Nepal. The expected participation of organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union is expected to further enhance the event’s global significance.Investor connect sessions involving various states will also be organised during Bharat Tex 2026, where Uttar Pradesh and other states will showcase their industrial potential. Through this platform, the Uttar Pradesh govt aims to further strengthen the global identity of the state’s textile industry, particularly Varanasi’s world-renowned Banarasi weaving tradition.For Kashi, the Banarasi saree is more than just a garment—it is a symbol of the city’s rich cultural heritage and the craftsmanship of generations of weavers. Its participation at Bharat Tex 2026 is expected to open new global markets for local artisans while giving fresh momentum to the state’s “Local to Global” mission.
