The 45th India International Trade Fair opened at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Friday, with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal describing the event as a showcase of India’s economic growth, cultural identity and development journey. The fair will run from November 14 to 27 under the theme “Development and Heritage”.
The opening ceremony was held on Friday evening at Bharat Mandapam. Goyal said India’s progress needed to be accompanied by the preservation of its heritage and cultural identity. He also described India as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, according to the report.
The minister said India recorded exports worth $19 billion in October, calling it a historic milestone. He also said nearly 500 million people had recently moved above the poverty line. These claims were made during the inauguration and were not accompanied by further supporting details in the report.
The fair will bring together more than 3,500 exhibitors across over 100,000 square metres and 17 halls. Participants will include 32 states and Union territories and 11 countries. Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh will participate as partner states, while Assam, Delhi, Jharkhand and West Bengal will be focus states.
The state pavilions are expected to present local industries, handicrafts, tourism, traditional products and development programmes. The event’s central theme links commercial exhibition with cultural representation, making Bharat Mandapam a temporary marketplace as well as a showcase for regional economic activity.
Public access will begin on November 19, after the first five days are reserved as business days from November 14 to 18. During the business days, entry will be restricted to business-to-business visitors. The fair will remain open to the public from November 19 to 27, from 10 am to 7:30 pm. General visitors will be allowed to enter until 5:30 pm.
Tickets will be available online, through the official IITF mobile application and at 55 Delhi Metro stations. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities will receive free entry on regular days on presentation of valid government identity documents, according to the report.
The visitor plan also includes Delhi Metro access, shuttle services, designated pick-up points for cabs and autorickshaws, and parking facilities. The transport arrangements will be important for an event expected to draw visitors to the central Delhi exhibition complex over nine public days.
Alongside the exhibition, the fair will feature a digital entertainment and educational experience called Players@Mandapam. A food court with more than 90 outlets will offer Indian and international cuisine. Organisers have also scheduled 87 cultural programmes across seven venues, including classical and folk music performances.
The opening ceremony included an Odissi performance by Padma Shri awardee Madhavi Mudgal and her group. Other listed performers include Manganiyar Seduction, Salim-Sulaiman, Hariharan and Prithvi Gandharva. Some performances will be accessible with the fair ticket, while tickets for selected programmes will be available through BookMyShow.
The event was inaugurated in the presence of India Trade Promotion Organisation chairman Javed Ashraf and other guests. The fair will continue at Bharat Mandapam until November 27, with public entry beginning on November 19.
