45th India International Trade Fair 2026 Opens at Bharat Mandapam

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal declared the 45th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2026 open at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Addressing traders, manufacturers, exporters and artisans, he asked them to use the openings created by India's Free Trade Agreements and to widen their footprint in overseas markets as the country works towards developed-nation status by 2047.

How big the fair is this year

• More than 30 States and Union Territories have put up pavilions showing their products and strengths.
• Over 3,500 exhibitors are taking part, along with participation from 11 countries.
• A One District, One Product Pavilion brings together arts, handicrafts, handloom and food items from across the country.
• The Hall of Inspiration puts 600 startups and their innovations on display.
• A dedicated IITF mobile application helps visitors move around the venue and locate exhibitors.

Trade numbers quoted by the Minister

Goyal told the gathering that India had posted its highest ever monthly export figure, close to 90 billion dollars in October. He broke the figure into roughly 50 billion dollars of goods and about 40 billion dollars of services. Shipments in the first seven months of the financial year, up to October, added up to 570 billion dollars, which he called an unprecedented run. He expected Indian trade to expand by 15 to 16 per cent this year even though world trade growth is likely to stay near 3.5 per cent, and said the one trillion dollar export goal remains within reach.

Announcements made at the opening

The Minister said the next phase of expansion at Bharat Mandapam would nearly double the exhibition space available, because recent fairs have outgrown even the enlarged venue. He added that the India Trade Promotion Organisation plans to carry IITF abroad through sector specific and broad based fairs, especially in markets covered by trade agreements. He pressed exhibitors to follow the Zero Defect, Zero Effect principle, to build quality and sustainability into every Made in India product, and to lean towards a circular economy and biodegradable materials.

The wider economic picture

Goyal said festive season buying had been strong, that October goods and services tax collections had touched a record for that month, and that nearly 50 crore people had moved out of extreme poverty over twelve years. He placed the fair alongside the approved Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum at the North Block and South Block complex, and said a four trillion dollar economy now aims at 30 trillion dollars by 2047.