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Ladakh Pashmina Conclave 2026 Begins in Leh
Leh, October 23: The two-day Ladakh Pashmina Conclave 2026 inaugurated today by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri V.K. Saxena, bringing together policymakers, industry experts, international delegates and stakeholders to explore opportunities for strengthening Ladakh’s globally renowned pashmina sector.
Organised by the Department of Industries & Commerce, UT Ladakh, under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises’ Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme, the conclave aims to promote sustainable production, enhance value addition, encourage international collaboration and expand the global market reach of Ladakh Pashmina.
A major highlight of the inaugural session was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Textiles and the UT Administration of Ladakh to strengthen cooperation for the development of the pashmina sector. A special postal cover celebrating GI-tagged Ladakh Pashmina textiles was also released in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor and other dignitaries.
The inaugural programme featured a welcome address by Secretary Industries Himanshu Gupta, an introductory film on Ladakh Pashmina and addresses highlighting the sector’s potential. The event showcased Ladakh’s rich tradition of pashmina craftsmanship and the vital role of pastoral communities and local artisans in preserving this heritage.
The first technical session, titled “Overview of Pashmina: India & Overseas,” featured discussions on the development of Ladakh Pashmina, Central Wool Board interventions and international market opportunities. G.S. Bhatti, Executive Director, Central Wool Board, outlined interventions and the way forward for the sector.
International delegates shared insights into Mongolia’s cashmere industry, luxury cashmere branding in Korea, and opportunities for collaboration with Japan in premium textiles, sustainable fashion and global brand development. The session also featured an overview of Ladakh Pashmina by Thinley of the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Marketing Society, followed by an interactive discussion.
As part of the programme, delegates visited the Pashmina Dehairing Plant, gaining an understanding of the processing and value-addition efforts aimed at improving the quality and marketability of Ladakh Pashmina. The visit highlighted the importance of modern processing facilities in strengthening the value chain and supporting local pashmina producers.
The stalls showcasing pashmina products and the region’s handicrafts and handloom heritage were inaugurated by the Director, Industries, UT Ladakh, Sonam Norboo providing a platform to showcase local craftsmanship, value-added products and the entrepreneurial potential of the region’s artisan communities.
The conclave serves as a platform for bringing together traditional pashmina producers, government institutions, technical experts and international industry stakeholders to strengthen quality, processing, branding and market linkages while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for pashmina-rearing communities.
The second day of the conclave, scheduled for October 24, will continue discussions on strengthening the pashmina ecosystem, including production, skill development, quality assurance, sustainable resource management and access to national and international markets.
The Ladakh Pashmina Conclave 2026 represents a significant initiative towards positioning Ladakh Pashmina as a globally recognised luxury textile while preserving the region’s distinctive cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship.
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