The fourth edition of SUTRA 2025, convened by IDH India (The Sustainable Trade Initiative), reaffirmed India’s growing leadership in shaping the future of responsible and inclusive sourcing. The summit, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, brought together over 500 delegates and 60 speakers from government, industry, academia, finance, and farmer organizations to discuss how purpose-led sourcing can drive climate-resilient and socially equitable trade systems.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, highlighted how SUTRA 2025 reflects India’s growing influence in creating a sourcing revolution that is sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive. “By bringing together farmers, FPOs, financiers, innovators, and industry, this platform truly embodies its name—SUTRA, the thread that connects us all,” he said. “Through initiatives like this, India is demonstrating how sustainability can move from compliance to competitiveness, from intent to impact.”
He emphasized the Ministry’s continued commitment to advancing circularity, strengthening farm-to-factory linkages, and positioning Indian textiles as a global model of responsibility and resilience.
The event featured 13 thematic sessions addressing key issues such as responsible sourcing, climate finance, gender empowerment, living incomes, and technology-enabled transparency. Delegates presented on-ground examples of regenerative agriculture, traceable value chains, and collaborative business models that show how economic progress and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.
A key attraction at SUTRA 2025 was the Sustainability Experience Centre, where organizations showcased innovations in traceability, regenerative farming, and circular production. Through live demonstrations and solution pitches, participants explored how technology and data-driven systems can enhance transparency and accountability across supply chains.
Reflecting on the summit, Mr. Jagjeet Singh Kandal, Country Director, IDH India, said, “SUTRA 2025 reflects IDH’s core belief that sustainable growth can only be achieved through collaboration and shared accountability. Our work focuses on creating spaces where governments, businesses, financiers, and farmer institutions can co-design solutions that are practical, scalable, and inclusive. Through partnerships, we aim to translate sustainability commitments into tangible action—strengthening value chains, improving livelihoods, and driving measurable impact.”
For over 15 years, IDH has been driving collaborative innovation and investment in sustainable solutions that create value for both people and the planet. Its initiatives have mobilized private sector investment and support across agricultural, manufacturing, apparel, and commodity value chains—helping build models that deliver better jobs, higher incomes, gender equity, and environmental resilience.
Industry leaders such as Mr. Sougata Niyogi (Godrej Agrovet), Mr. Sudhakar Desai (Emami Agrotech & IVPA), Ms. Sagarika Bose (SAP), Mr. Prabhakar Lingareddy (ITC Limited), Mr. Mandeep Singh Tuli (Hindustan Unilever Limited), and Dr. Arpita Mukherjee (ICRIER) shared perspectives on aligning business competitiveness with climate action and social responsibility. Ms. Marije Boomsma (IDH Global) further emphasized the organization’s mission to turn sustainability ambitions into scalable global impact through strong partnerships.
Over the years, SUTRA has evolved into one of India’s most influential platforms for advancing sustainable trade and responsible sourcing. The 2025 edition continued to build on this legacy by deepening cross-sector partnerships and setting a forward-looking agenda for inclusive and climate-resilient growth.
As the summit concluded, participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to aligning trade, technology, and sustainability—weaving together a collective path toward a fairer, greener, and more resilient global economy.
