New momentum for British textile machinery in India

From the report

The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is looking to India ITME 2026 as a major opportunity to strengthen industrial partnerships and mutually expand exports, following the introduction of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and the formation of the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition (UKITMC). Taking place from December 4-9th at the India Exposition Mart in Greater Noida, the exhibition is expected to attract more than 1,800 exhibitors and 150,000 visitors, reflecting India’s position as one of the worl’’s largest textile manufacturing markets.

The event comes at a significant moment for trade relations between the two countries. The Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in July 2026, is expected to improve market access and competitiveness for British engineering and technology suppliers, while supporting the continued expansion of India’s textile and apparel industries. The BTMA has also established the UKITMC to strengthen cooperation between machinery manufacturers in the two countries, encourage technology exchange and develop new commercial opportunities.

“India represents an enormous opportunity for British textile machinery manufacturers, particularly as its textile industry moves towards higher levels of automation, quality assurance and sustainable production,” says BTMA CEO Jason Kent. “The combination of the Free Trade Agreement and our new coalition provides a much stronger framework for long-term collaboration. Our members have specialist technologies that can make a real difference to the efficiency and competitiveness of Indian textile manufacturers, and India ITME provides an ideal platform for developing those relationships.”