Minister of State Pabitra Margherita inaugurated the “Best of India – Indian Apparels and Textile Fair” in Moscow on October 1, reaffirming India’s push to expand its textile exports to Russia and CIS markets. The three-day event, organised by the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), showcased the creativity and strength of India’s handloom sector.
Margherita, sharing his views on social media, said, “This fair will boost India’s exports to Russia, deepen cooperation, and open new gateways to CIS markets.” He noted that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh’s vision to expand the sector’s global footprint and highlight Indian craftsmanship.
In a significant outreach, Margherita engaged with the Indian diaspora in Russia on October 2, praising their “invaluable” role in strengthening bilateral ties. He also addressed students at the Embassy of India School, marking Mahatma Gandhi’s 156th birth anniversary, stressing Gandhian ideals behind Swachh Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Viksit Bharat. In Guwahati, the textile industry stakeholders welcomed the move, noting that such fairs could enhance opportunities for Assam’s rich handloom traditions, including muga and eri silk, to find larger export avenues in Russia and beyond. The event drew Russian dignitaries, Indologists, scholars, and community members, underlining cultural and economic linkages.