New Delhi Rights Table 2026 opens, strengthens India’s role in global publishing trade

The New Delhi Rights Table (NDRT), a key business-to-business initiative of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026, began today at Bharat Mandapam, reinforcing NDWBF’s position as a significant international platform for publishing trade and rights exchange. Facilitated by the National Book Trust (NBT) India under the Ministry of Education, NDRT provides a structured marketplace for publishers to negotiate translation and distribution rights across languages and regions.

Designed exclusively as a professional business platform, NDRT 2026 has drawn 85 participating publishers, including nearly 40 foreign publishers, with around 600 pre-scheduled meetings taking place over two days (12–13 January). The format enables focused half-hour interactions, allowing publishers to explore rights acquisitions, co-publishing opportunities and long-term international partnerships.

The Rights Table was formally inaugurated by Ms Claudia Kaiser, Vice President (Business Development), Frankfurt Book Fair, marking the commencement of high-level rights discussions. During the Opening Session, Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director, NBT-India, felicitated Ms Claudia Kaiser.

Delivering the opening remarks, Professor Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman, NBT-India, observed that the Frankfurt Book Fair has successfully blended B2B and B2C models over the years. He Stated that NBT aims to facilitate the transfer of quality literature within India and across borders, strengthening global literary exchange. 

He further informed that over 600–700 meetings between Indian and international publishers have been scheduled under the NDRT umbrella this year. Addressing the gathering, Ms Claudia Kaiser highlighted the long-standing association between India and the Frankfurt Book Fair, recalling that India was the first Asian country to be a Guest of Honour at the fair in the 1980s.

She noted that the dedicated India Pavilion at Frankfurt has since become a regular and important feature, and expressed appreciation for the growing scale of the New Delhi World Book Fair. She also welcomed NBT’s initiative to make NDWBF 2026 free and accessible to all readers. In his address, Shri Yuvraj Malik underscored the importance of meaningful international publishing collaborations, stressing the need for high-quality content over sheer volume.

He also invited the literary experts present to participate in India’s Guest of Honour presentation at the upcoming Bogotá International Book Fair, Colombia, where India will showcase its publishing strength through a 3,000 sq. metre pavilion, highlighting the country’s rich multilingual and knowledge traditions.

Speaking on the broader success of NDWBF 2026, Shri Malik noted that the Fair’s theme, “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75,” marks the first time globally that a nation’s military legacy has been positioned as the central focus of a large-scale public book festival. During the session, Kumar Vikram, Chief Editor & Joint Director, NBT-India,

presented details of NBT’s newly launched Financial Assistance Programme aimed at supporting Indian and foreign publishers in translating Indian books into foreign languages. Under the scheme, financial support will be extended to foreign publishers to enhance the global reach of Indian literature and make translation projects commercially viable.

With robust international participation, hundreds of structured business meetings and strong institutional support, the New Delhi Rights Table 2026 continues to strengthen India’s role as a growing hub for global publishing trade. Publishers, rights professionals and industry stakeholders are invited to engage with NDRT on 12–13 January at Bharat Mandapam as part of the ongoing New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 (10–18 January).