New York, July 2: In a landmark moment, the India Pavillion at Summer Fancy Food 2026, was jointly inaugurated by Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York and Chef Vikas Khanna, the internationally acclaimed chef, author and TIME100 Honoree at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on 28th June 2026. The inauguration signalled India’s largest-ever participation at North America’s premier specialty food exhibition, bringing together hundreds of Indian food brands, exporters and innovators under one roof.
The India Pavilion jointly showcased by the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and the India Trade Promotion Organisation , under the Department of Commerce, Government of India, celebrates the growing global demand for Indian food products while showcasing the richness, diversity and quality of India’s agricultural and processed food industry to buyers, retailers and distributors from across the world.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, described the pavilion as a landmark initiative that will further strengthen India’s food exports and brand presence in the United States.
“The INDIA Pavilion at the Summer Fancy Food Show is a benchmark initiative for Indian brands looking to expand in the U.S. market. It reflects the confidence, capability and quality of India’s food industry. We are delighted to have Chef Vikas Khanna gracing the occasion, as for nearly three decades, he has been one of India’s greatest ambassadors of soft power, carrying our culture, traditions and values to the West through the universal language of food.’’ Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York.
The inauguration comes at a defining time for India’s food exports, with the North American market for Indian consumer packaged food products expected to represent an estimated USD 30–50 billion opportunity over the coming decade. The remarkable growth is being fuelled by increasing consumer demand for authentic Indian flavours, premium ingredients and trusted food brands.
Speaking during the inauguration, Chef Vikas Khanna reminded the audience that every product on display represents the dreams and livelihoods of millions of Indians working across the country’s food ecosystem.
“This industry is never just about products on shelves. Behind every grain, every spice and every package are millions of hands our farmers, traders, manufacturers, factory workers, exporters, distributors and retailers. Every opportunity created for Indian food creates opportunities for countless families across the supply chain. This is not my success. It belongs to every farmer, every trader, every manufacturer and every worker whose hands make these products possible. I simply have the privilege of carrying their stories to the world.” Said Chef Vikas Khanna launching the pavilion .
For nearly three decades, Chef Khanna has remained one of the world’s foremost ambassadors of Indian cuisine. Through his Michelin-starred restaurants, bestselling books, television shows, humanitarian initiatives, films and entrepreneurial ventures, he has transformed global perceptions of Indian food, elevating it from a regional cuisine to one celebrated among the world’s finest culinary traditions.
Welcoming international buyers to the India Pavilion, Mr. Abhishek Dev, Chairman, APEDA, highlighted the significance of India’s record participation at the exhibition and its growing leadership in global food exports.
“The Summer Fancy Food Show provides an important platform for Indian food brands to showcase their quality, innovation and diversity to the global marketplace. This record participation reflects the confidence of Indian exporters and the growing trust that international consumers place in products from India. We are delighted and honoured to have Chef Vikas Khanna with us today at the inaugural of the India Pavilion. His extraordinary contribution towards taking Indian cuisine and Indian food products to the global stage has inspired generations and strengthened India’s culinary identity across the world.” said Mr. Abhishek Dev, Chairman, APEDA
Dr. Neeraj Kharwal, MD ITPO also expressed his happiness at the inaugural of the largest ever INDIA Pavillion at the Summer Fancy Food 2026, and stated that in the days to come the the collaboration between India ITPO and APEDA will be highly beneficial for India’s food exports and
India’s largest-ever showcase at the Summer Fancy Food Show features exporters across a diverse range of categories, including basmati rice, spices, ready-to-eat foods, beverages, organic products, frozen foods, snacks and value-added agricultural products, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing food export destinations.
A key attraction at the pavilion is the Indian Mango Showcase, featuring premium export varieties alongside innovative mango-based culinary creations. The display highlights India’s rich diversity of mangoes and reinforces the country’s position as the world’s leading producer of the fruit.
Visitors are also experiencing a curated Basmati Culinary Showcase, where a range of dishes prepared using premium Indian Basmati rice demonstrate its versatility across international cuisines. The showcase highlights the unique aroma, texture, and quality that have made Indian Basmati rice a preferred choice in global markets.
As global demand for authentic Indian food continues to accelerate, the INDIA Pavilion stands as a powerful symbol of India’s journey from its farms and factories to dining tables across the globe, driven by the collective efforts of millions across the agricultural and food value chain.