New Delhi to host GI & Beyond 2.0 Summit on August 5 to boost India’s GI-tagged handloom, handicraft exports

New Delhi, August 3: The Ministry of Textiles will organise the GI & Beyond 2.0 Summit in New Delhi on August 5 to promote India’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged handloom and handicraft products and strengthen their presence in domestic as well as international markets.

The summit is being organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, in association with the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.

Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita will inaugurate the summit as the chief guest. Secretary (Textiles) Neelam Shami Rao will attend as the guest of honour in the presence of Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) Amrit Raj, and Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit.

The event aims to strengthen India’s GI ecosystem by connecting artisans, exporters, policymakers, intellectual property experts and global buyers on a common platform. It is expected to facilitate collaborations that enhance the visibility, branding and commercial potential of India’s traditional crafts and weaving heritage.

A major attraction of the summit will be an exhibition featuring more than 100 GI-registered handloom and handicraft products from across the country. Visitors will also witness thematic displays highlighting India’s diverse weaving traditions alongside live demonstrations by artisans showcasing traditional handloom weaving and handicraft techniques.

The summit will bring together overseas buyers from around 10 countries, exporters, multinational corporations, registered proprietors of GI products, officials from central and state governments, leading textile and retail brands, e-commerce platforms, academia and industry experts.

One of the key announcements at the event will be the launch of the Digital Handloom Atlas, a technology-driven platform developed under the theme “One Platform. Endless Markets.” The portal is designed to digitally showcase India’s handloom products, including GI-tagged items, and connect artisans with buyers across global markets.

The summit will also mark the unveiling of the Diamond Jubilee logo of the Handloom Export Promotion Council, commemorating six decades of promoting India’s handloom exports.

During the inaugural session, GI certificates will be presented to registered proprietors and newly authorised users, recognising their contribution to protecting and promoting India’s traditional products under the Geographical Indications framework.

Reflecting the growing role of technology in preserving and marketing traditional crafts, experts from IIT Madras will deliver a special presentation on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen the GI ecosystem. The session will explore how AI can support product authentication, traceability, market intelligence and digital promotion of GI products.

The summit will also feature a series of technical sessions covering GI registration and intellectual property rights, strategies to strengthen the domestic market for GI products, and approaches to expanding the global footprint of India’s GI-tagged handloom products.

With participation from policymakers, industry leaders, exporters, global buyers, e-commerce companies and intellectual property professionals, the GI & Beyond 2.0 Summit is expected to serve as a significant platform for expanding market access, encouraging innovation and enhancing the global recognition of India’s rich handloom and handicraft heritage.