India launched its pavilion in Index Saudi Arabia 2025, which is the Kingdom’s leading interiors trade show. The show is being held from 9 to 11 September 2025 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. The pavilion was inaugurated by Dr. Suhail Ajaz Khan, India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts and representatives of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India were also present on the occasion.
Along with the launch, an interactive session ‘India – The Ideal Destination for Handicrafts Source’ was organized, in which Ambassador Khan addressed as the keynote speaker. He said that India’s Handicraft Sector is one of the largest industries in the world, which employs more than 70 lakh artisans, out of which a large number are women in rural areas. He also highlighted the Government of India’s One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, which promotes special art and crafts of every district of the country.
This session was attended by leaders of Saudi Arabia’s industry, including the famous designer Iman Abdullahlah Abulazayel and representatives of several major Saudi companies. The time of India’s participation also has special significance as Saudi Arabia is celebrating 2025 year of handicrafts.
The leading handicraft exporting companies are participating in the Indian pavilion and shows India’s rich craft tradition. Here the National Award winning artisans are demonstrating their skills through live demonstration. This time five master artisans have joined, representing India’s diverse traditional arts. These include Mana Mohan Soni (Metal Angrewing) of Uttar Pradesh, Prem Chand (Terrakota Craft) of New Delhi, Prethp Puthamkode Arjunan (crafts made of coconut shell), Umm Salma Khatoon (Kantha embroidery) of West Bengal and Jashobanti Meher (Natural Fiber Crafts) of Odisha.
Many reputed Indian companies are also exhibition in the India Pavilion, showing the wide variety of handmade products. This pavilion reflects India’s art, creativity and stability and provides Saudi buyers and design professionals unique sourcing opportunities in interior design and growing regional markets of home decks.
