Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Graces 52nd India Gems & Jewellery Awards

 

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Graces 52nd India Gems &

 Jewellery Awards; GJEPC Charts US$100 Billion Export 

Vision for Indian Gem & Jewellery Industry

Industry’s premier awards bring together national and state leadership, recognising excellence and India’s growing global ambitions

• Chief Guest Hon’ble Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah graces the 52nd IGJA, joined by Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Shri Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi
• Senior Maharashtra Ministers Adv. Ashish Shelar, Rajya Sabha, MP Shri Govind Dholakia and leading industry representatives join the landmark industry gathering
• GJEPC sets an ambitious target of US$100 billion in gem and jewellery exports by 2040, aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047
• India Jewellery Park in Navi Mumbai Set to Commence Work on Dussehra Following All Approvals from Maharashtra Government

National, 13 September 2026: In a landmark gathering that brought together the country’s political leadership and the leadership of India’s gem and jewellery industry, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) hosted the prestigious 52nd India Gems & Jewellery Awards (IGJA), with Shri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, as the Chief Guest.

The 52nd India Gems & Jewellery Awards was held with the support of its partners — World Gold Council as the Gold Partner, GIA as the Powered By Partner, and Vaibhav Global Limited, Kiran Gems, Ferrari Logistics, Dhanera Diamonds and Aigiri Jewels as Co-Partners.

The award ceremony brought together an eminent gathering of national and state leaders, policymakers, parliamentarians and industry stalwarts. Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtraand Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, graced the occasion alongside Adv. Ashish Minal Babaji Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Department, Government of Maharashtra and Shri Govind Dholakia, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.

GJEPC and industry representatives, including Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Anoop Mehta, President, Bharat Diamond Bourse; Shri Mansukh Kothari, Convener, Events, GJEPC, Shri Anil Virani, Convener, Audits & Finance, GJEPCand,Smt Khushboo Ranawat, Regional Chairman, Western Region, GJEPCwere present.

The presence of such distinguished national and state leadership underscored the growing strategic importance of the gem and jewellery sector to India’s exports, manufacturing, employment and global trade ambitions.

Shri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister ofCooperation said, “India has the infrastructure, capital, capability and entrepreneurs to become the world’s gems and jewellery hub. As the diamond trade evolves, the time has come to think beyond speed and focus on scale. Lab-grown diamonds present a major opportunity. India must build the entire value chain, from manufacturing and technology to jewellery, branding and retail, and develop Indian brands with a global presence. The Government of India, along with the governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat, is ready to provide the support required. I see a very bright future for this industry, and the time has come for India to emerge as a global leader in diamonds and jewellery.”

Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra said, “India’s gems and jewellery industry makes a significant contribution to the country’s exports and economic growth, with Maharashtra and Mumbai playing a leading role. The ecosystem created here, particularly at Bharat Diamond Bourse, has brought together traders, artisans and employees as one large industry family. Our aim is to support this industry through the state’s policies and infrastructure. The new jewellery policy introduced in 2025 includes provisions to strengthen the sector, recognising its contribution to both the economy and employment. We are also developing a modern jewellery ecosystem in Navi Mumbai, with the potential to attract ₹1 lakh crore in investment and generate 50,000 jobs.”

Speaking on the occasion Shri Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra said, “More than 50 lakh people are engaged in the sector across the country, and the industry has established India as a strong player in global trade, with Maharashtra and Mumbai accounting for more than 50% of the country’s total gem and jewellery exports. The Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai is a major global centre for diamond trade. As India moves towards the vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the gem and jewellery industry has a very important role to play. I am confident that our industry members will continue to work hard, take the sector to greater heights and contribute even more to India’s growth story.”

Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC said, “Over the past four to five years, the gems and jewellery industry has faced significant challenges, from geopolitical tensions and tariff pressures to softer demand in key markets. Yet the industry has responded by exploring new markets, adopting technology and increasing value addition. The resilience of India’s gems and jewellery exports is a testament to that commitment.

The partnership between the Government and industry has been critical. Policy measures, new trade agreements and support for emerging sectors such as lab-grown diamonds are creating new opportunities and strengthening India’s position in global markets.

Our next chapter must focus on design, innovation and value addition, using India’s strengths in traditional craftsmanship and technology to build globally recognised brands. The upcoming India Jewellery Park in Navi Mumbai and other industry initiatives will further strengthen this ecosystem.

For us, growth is about more than trade. The true strength of this industry lies in its commitment to giving back to society. As we look towards a developed India, we must work together to take Indian gems and jewellery to a larger global audience.”