FIP Leads India's Largest-Ever Delegation to IPC 2026, Strengthening Global Publishing Leadership

FIP leads India's largest IPC 2026 delegation as Indian publishing strengthens global partnerships, innovation and industry leadership.
on Jul 01, 2026

FIP-led delegation will showcase the strength of Indian publishing across education, trade, technology, rights, data, public-sector publishing and international collaboration, with two Indian speakers leading key global conversations.

The Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP), the national representative body of the Indian publishing industry and India's sole member of the International Publishers Association (IPA), is proud to announce one of the largest and most distinguished Indian delegations ever assembled for an International Publishers Congress. The delegation will participate in the 35th International Publishers Congress (IPC 2026), scheduled to be held from 5–9 July 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Organised by the International Publishers Association (IPA), Geneva, and hosted by the Malaysian Book Publishers Association (MABOPA), IPC 2026 will bring together publishers, authors, technology innovators, policymakers, rights professionals and publishing stakeholders from around the world for high-level discussions on the future of publishing.

The Congress theme, "Publishing Intelligence, Sustaining Forward," reflects the industry's commitment to embracing artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, digital innovation and emerging technologies while safeguarding creativity, copyright, sustainability, inclusivity, ethical publishing and freedom to publish.

India's Growing Global Publishing Influence

India's participation at IPC 2026 reflects the country's emergence as one of the world's most dynamic publishing markets. Representing educational, academic, scholarly, professional, trade, children's, digital and public-sector publishing, the Indian delegation showcases the breadth and diversity of the nation's publishing ecosystem.

Indian publishers are no longer participating in global forums merely as market observers. Increasingly, they are contributing innovative ideas, publishing technologies, market intelligence, policy perspectives, rights opportunities and collaborative initiatives that are helping shape the future of international publishing.

The delegation also demonstrates India's growing confidence in engaging with global publishing leaders, strengthening cross-border partnerships and expanding opportunities for Indian content, publishing services and knowledge exchange.

India's Expanding Role in Global Publishing

India's publishing industry has steadily established itself as one of the world's fastest-growing knowledge ecosystems. With a strong educational publishing sector, a vibrant trade publishing market, expanding digital infrastructure and one of the richest multilingual literary traditions in the world, the country continues to strengthen its presence across international publishing platforms.

Indian publishers are increasingly participating in international rights trading, co-publishing initiatives, digital publishing, scholarly communication and technology-driven innovation. At the same time, they are contributing to important global conversations on copyright, sustainability, accessibility, artificial intelligence and responsible publishing practices.

As publishing markets become increasingly interconnected, India is expanding collaborations with organisations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and other international markets. These partnerships are opening new opportunities for knowledge exchange, content licensing, market expansion and cultural diplomacy while reinforcing India's position as both a major publishing market and a trusted global publishing partner.

Participation in the International Publishers Congress reflects this broader transformation. Beyond showcasing India's publishing capabilities, the Congress provides an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, promote Indian publishing expertise and contribute meaningfully to discussions that will shape the future of the global publishing industry.

Against this backdrop, the Federation of Indian Publishers' strong delegation and distinguished speaker representation at IPC 2026 mark another important milestone in India's growing leadership within the international publishing community.

Global Publishing Outlook: India Emerges as a Strategic Publishing Partner

The global publishing industry is undergoing a period of significant transformation as artificial intelligence, digital publishing, multilingual content, open-access research and cross-border rights trading reshape how knowledge is created and distributed. Against this backdrop, India is increasingly being recognised as one of the world's fastest-growing publishing ecosystems, driven by its scale, linguistic diversity, educational publishing strength and rapidly expanding digital infrastructure.

With thousands of publishers serving educational, academic, professional and trade markets, India has become an important contributor to international publishing through content creation, printing, digital publishing services and rights collaborations. The country's growing engagement with international publishing forums reflects a broader shift from being a large domestic market to becoming an active participant in shaping global publishing conversations.

Industry leaders increasingly view international collaboration as essential for expanding access to knowledge, encouraging innovation and strengthening publishing standards across markets. Events such as the International Publishers Congress provide valuable opportunities for publishers to exchange ideas, develop strategic partnerships, explore emerging technologies and strengthen copyright and licensing frameworks while promoting sustainable growth across the global publishing industry.

As India's publishing industry continues to expand its global footprint, initiatives led by organisations such as the Federation of Indian Publishers help position Indian publishers at the centre of international dialogue, reinforcing the country's role as a trusted partner in the evolving global knowledge economy.

Indian Voices to Lead Key Global Conversations

India will be represented on the official Congress programme by two distinguished speakers whose participation reflects the country's expanding role in shaping international publishing discussions.

Pranav Gupta: India's Perspective on Southeast Asia

On 6 July 2026, Mr Pranav Gupta, Vice President of the Federation of Indian Publishers and Chair of the IPA Data & Statistics Committee, will participate in the rapid-fire session "Gateway to South-East Asia: Entry Paths, Pitfalls & Payoffs."

The session will explore Southeast Asia as one of the world's fastest-growing publishing markets, examining market-entry strategies, cross-border partnerships, rights trading, distribution networks and the practical opportunities and challenges publishers encounter while expanding into the region.

Moderated by Ahmed Rashad, Executive Committee Member of the International Publishers Association and CEO of Al Masriah Al Lubnaniah Publishing House, Egypt, the panel will also feature Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor, President of the ASEAN Book Publishers Association (ABPA) and Malaysian Book Publishers Association (MABOPA), Malaysia, and Li Pengyi, Vice President of the Publishers Association of China.

Mr Gupta will contribute an Indian perspective on rights management, regional collaboration, data-driven publishing strategies, emerging publishing formats and new opportunities for Indian publishers within Southeast Asia's rapidly evolving publishing landscape.

Yuvraj Malik: Book Fairs Beyond the Exhibition Hall

On 7 July 2026, Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director of the National Book Trust, India, Ministry of Education, will speak in the session "Beyond the Booth: How Book Fairs Become Year-Round Growth Engines."

The discussion will explore how modern book fairs can evolve beyond traditional exhibition models into year-round platforms for reader engagement, publishing promotion, cultural diplomacy, digital outreach, community-building and measurable commercial growth.

Drawing upon his experience as Director of the National Book Trust, India, and CEO of the New Delhi World Book Fair, Shri Malik will present India's perspective on strengthening reading culture, expanding public-sector publishing initiatives and transforming book fairs into long-term engines for industry growth and international collaboration.

Indian Delegation

The Indian delegation comprises a distinguished group of publishing leaders, innovators, policymakers and industry professionals representing the full breadth of India's publishing ecosystem.

The delegates include Senthilnathan Sambandan, Ilangoven Appasamy Chinnaswamy, Vishal Dani, Amit Chavan, Manish Jain, Ramesh K. Mittal, Vijaya Kumar Dhupati, Praveen Singh, Monica Malhotra Kandhari, A.T.B. Bose, Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Yuvraj Malik, Kumar Vikram, Mayank Surolia, Vikrant Mathur, Subrahmanian Seshadri, Pushpita Ghosh, Pallavi Ghosh, Aditi Ghosh, Pranav Gupta, Bharath Sundaram, Sarath Kakumanu and Arjun Chaudhuri.

Together, they represent educational, academic, professional, trade, children's, digital, technology-driven, data-led and policy-oriented publishing sectors, demonstrating the diversity, innovation and international outlook of Indian publishing while reinforcing the country's growing influence within the global publishing community.

Mr Ramesh K. Mittal, President, Federation of Indian Publishers, said:

"As Indian publishing moves with confidence into the global arena, it is a matter of pride to see Mr Pranav Gupta and Shri Yuvraj Malik representing India in two important sessions at the IPA Congress. Both reflect the young blood and fresh energy taking Indian publishing to the global level, while carrying forward the values, credibility and strengths built by earlier generations. They understand policy, technology, markets, institutions and international collaboration, and I am confident that both will do very well and make India proud."

Mr Pranav Gupta, Vice President, Federation of Indian Publishers, and Chair of the IPA Data & Statistics Committee, said:

"The International Publishers Congress is the most important global platform for the publishing community. At a time when artificial intelligence, digital transformation, copyright, sustainability and freedom to publish are reshaping our industry, it is essential that India actively contributes to these global conversations. We are proud to be taking one of the largest Indian publishing delegations ever to an IPA Congress. This reflects not only the scale and diversity of Indian publishing but also our growing confidence, international engagement and commitment to shaping the future of global publishing. India is no longer merely a market of immense potential; it is increasingly becoming a strategic partner in the global knowledge economy."

Ms Pushpita Ghosh, Secretary General, Federation of Indian Publishers, said:

"The remarkable size and diversity of the Indian delegation demonstrates the increasing international outlook of Indian publishers. From educational and academic publishing to trade, children's books, digital content and emerging technologies, Indian publishers are actively shaping the industry's future. IPC 2026 provides an excellent platform for learning, networking and collaboration, while also enabling us to showcase the innovation, resilience and creativity that define Indian publishing today. We look forward to strengthening relationships with publishing professionals from across the globe and exploring new avenues for cooperation and growth."

A Platform for Global Collaboration

The 35th International Publishers Congress 2026 represents more than an international gathering of publishing professionals. It serves as a strategic platform for fostering global dialogue, strengthening cross-border business relationships, encouraging international rights trading, promoting sustainable publishing practices and exploring the impact of emerging technologies on the future of publishing.

As publishers, policymakers, authors, technology innovators and rights professionals gather in Kuala Lumpur, India will showcase not only the strength of its publishing industry but also its commitment to advancing innovation, multilingual publishing, educational excellence and international cooperation.

India's participation at IPC 2026 reflects a broader transformation taking place across its publishing landscape. With increasing investments in digital publishing, artificial intelligence, scholarly communication, publishing technology and global rights partnerships, Indian publishers are becoming active contributors to the international knowledge economy rather than simply participants in it.

The presence of one of India's largest-ever publishing delegations, combined with distinguished representation on the Congress programme through Mr Pranav Gupta and Shri Yuvraj Malik, reinforces India's growing leadership within the global publishing community. Their participation highlights the country's commitment to sharing expertise, strengthening international partnerships and contributing meaningfully to conversations that will shape the future of publishing worldwide.

As the global publishing industry navigates rapid technological change, evolving reader expectations and expanding international collaboration, India's diverse publishing ecosystem continues to demonstrate innovation, resilience and a shared vision for building a more connected, inclusive and sustainable publishing future.

About the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP)

Established in 1973, the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) is the apex representative body of the Indian publishing industry and India's sole member association of the International Publishers Association (IPA), Geneva.

Representing publishers across educational, academic, scientific, technical, professional, trade, children's and digital publishing sectors, FIP has worked for more than six decades to promote publishing excellence, copyright protection, reading culture, freedom to publish, international cooperation and the long-term growth of India's publishing ecosystem.

Through national and international initiatives, FIP continues to strengthen India's publishing industry by encouraging innovation, fostering global partnerships and representing the interests of Indian publishers on leading international platforms.