Guwahati: Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday said the Centre remains committed to preserving India’s textile heritage while accelerating industry-led growth, as he inaugurated the National Textiles Ministers’ Conference 2026 in Assam’s Guwahati.
Singh, along with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, also inaugurated a handloom and handicrafts exhibition on the sidelines of the conference. Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita attended the event. The exhibition features traditional crafts from across the country and aims to showcase the income and employment potential of India’s artisanal sectors.
The two-day conference, being hosted in Assam, is focusing on investment promotion, job creation, innovation, skill development and inter-state collaboration in the textile sector. Discussions will cover handlooms, handicrafts, modern textiles, ready-made garments, technical textiles and export prospects, with an emphasis on boosting overall industry growth.
Speaking on the sidelines, Yadav said Madhya Pradesh would hold talks with the Assam government on cooperation in wildlife conservation and species exchange. He said the two states had earlier reached an in-principle agreement to reintroduce wild buffaloes, which are extinct in Madhya Pradesh, and to bring rhinoceroses to the state. Proposals are also under consideration to transfer tigers and crocodiles from Madhya Pradesh to Assam at the request of Assam’s wildlife authorities, and these have been submitted to the Centre for approval.
Yadav said collaboration between Madhya Pradesh and Assam in eco-tourism and wildlife tourism is expected to expand and that these issues would be discussed with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during his visit.
During the conference, Madhya Pradesh is also presenting its textile policy, investment opportunities and industrial ecosystem to participating states and industry representatives. The event is expected to encourage the exchange of best practices and explore new partnership models across the textile value chain.