This August, Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, will host the country’s most anticipated food and beverage convergence — the 14th Annual Indian Restaurant Congress & Awards 2025 (IRC) alongside the debut edition of Coffee & Tea Asia 2025 (CTA). From August 5–7, 2025, this power-packed three-day event will bring together more than 2,000 F&B stakeholders, innovators, and entrepreneurs under one roof to reimagine the future of dining, delivery, café culture, and culinary innovation.

Organized by RestaurantIndia.in and Franchise India, the event reflects a decisive moment in India’s $95.75 billion F&B industry — one that’s evolving rapidly with digital integration, premiumization, and global expansion.

Hospitalitynews India is proud to be the official media partner for this landmark dual-platform gathering, committed to bringing readers exclusive coverage, expert interviews, and post-event insights straight from the ground.

IRC 2025: Redefining India’s Culinary Identity

Under the theme “A Global Outlook,” the Indian Restaurant Congress 2025 will explore how Indian culinary brands are expanding overseas, and how global players are customizing strategies for the Indian market. Topics to watch out for:

• Immersive dining & phygital experiences

• 10-minute delivery and cloud kitchen evolution

• Franchising blueprints for hypergrowth

• Restaurant tech and AI integrations

The event will feature 150+ top voices in the industry including:

• Udai Pinnali, Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality

• M. Mahadevan, Advantage Foods Pvt. Ltd.

• Sukul Kundan, PF Chang’s India

• Tarun Jain, Tim Hortons India

• Chef Suvir Saran, Chef Kunal Kapur, and Chef Atul Kochhar (2x Michelin-starred)

The summit concludes with the prestigious Indian Restaurant Awards and Culinary Innovation Awards 2025, honoring the most visionary F&B professionals and establishments in India.

Coffee & Tea Asia 2025: Brewing Opportunity

Making its Indian debut, Coffee & Tea Asia 2025 is Asia’s leading B2B platform dedicated entirely to the coffee and tea value chain. Co-located with IRC, this event brings together:

• Café and roastery owners

• Tea estate operators

• Equipment manufacturers

• Sustainable packaging pioneers

• Retail and tech disruptors

Expect live brewing demos, buyer-seller meets, product tastings, and showcases of café culture shaping urban India. Whether you're a barista, café chain, or supplier, CTA 2025 is where beverage innovation comes to life.

Explore 4 Specialized Power Pavilions

The expansive trade floor will be divided into four curated zones:

• ReStart – Disruptive F&B startups and franchise trailblazers

• ReSupply – Kitchen tech, packaging, and supply chain innovations

• ReSoft – Restaurant-focused tech solutions and digital tools

• ReSpaces – Interiors, design, and hospitality real estate concepts

With 200+ speakers, 2,000+ premium attendees, and participation from across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East — this convergence is set to be an unparalleled platform for networking, lead generation, and trend forecasting.

Why Attend?

India’s F&B market is expanding at 10%+ annually, driven by evolving consumer preferences and smart technology. IRC & CTA 2025 offer an unmatched lens into:

• New business models in dining and delivery

• Hospitality technology and sustainability

• Global franchise scaling and investments

• Coffee and tea retail innovations

• End-to-end visibility of the foodservice ecosystem

Whether you're a restaurateur, café entrepreneur, chef, investor, or food tech leader — this is your opportunity to engage with the brightest minds and most influential brands in the industry.

Book Your Spot Now

Dates: August 5–7, 2025
Venue: Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
Register: www.restaurantindia.in/congress | www.coffeeandtea.asia
Follow: #IRC2025 #CTA2025

Early bird rates end soon. Save more on combined passes and group registrations.

Official Media Partner: Hospitalitynews India

As the official media partner, Hospitalitynews India is thrilled to support this extraordinary initiative and will bring exclusive updates, speaker highlights, and thought leadership articles to its extensive network of hospitality professionals across the country.

Join us as we witness the future of food and beverage — live in action.

The future of IndiGo’s high-profile wet lease partnership with Turkish Airlines hangs in the balance as the Indian government reconsiders aviation ties with Turkey in light of recent geopolitical developments and national security priorities. With the lease set to expire on May 31, 2025, sources close to the Ministry of Civil Aviation indicate that an extension is now “highly unlikely.”

Pahalgam Attack Sparks Diplomatic Recalibration

The turning point came after the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which left several Indian personnel dead. In the aftermath, India's diplomatic community reached out to several countries for support and solidarity. Turkey’s tepid response—marked by silence and the absence of a firm condemnation—was seen as a failure to stand with India during a moment of national grief.

This perceived lack of cooperation has since become a key driver behind the government's broader reassessment of ties with Turkish entities, including in sectors like civil aviation and ground operations.

Government Unlikely to Renew IndiGo-Turkish Pact

According to government sources cited by The Hans India, there is little appetite to continue the existing arrangement, which allows IndiGo to operate wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airlines on long-haul routes like Delhi-Istanbul and Mumbai-Istanbul. The aircraft, crewed and maintained by Turkish Airlines personnel, operates under a wet lease model—raising concerns among Indian authorities over foreign-controlled operations within national airspace.

"The government is unlikely to renew the pact with Turkish Airlines," a senior official told The Hans India, underscoring the security-first approach currently guiding aviation policy.

Celebi Aviation’s Clearance Revoked

Adding to the signal was the recent revocation of security clearance for Celebi Aviation—a Turkish ground-handling services provider operating at key Indian airports. Though no formal statement outlined the exact rationale, officials suggest it is part of a broader effort to minimize operational exposure to foreign entities from diplomatically sensitive nations.

Hospitality and Travel Sector Implications

The potential non-renewal of the IndiGo-Turkish Airlines pact could ripple across the hospitality and tourism sectors. The collaboration had allowed seamless long-haul travel for Indian flyers to Europe and beyond via Istanbul, boosting footfall for both countries. Several Indian travel companies and hotels had aligned their outbound packages and B2B arrangements with the increased frequency and capacity.

A pause or termination of the agreement could result in short-term disruptions—particularly for outbound travel to Turkey and connecting European markets. Several tour operators have already begun revisiting their routing and promotional strategies in anticipation of reduced seat availability.

IndiGo’s Contingency Plans

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has acknowledged the strategic utility of the wet lease, especially amid aircraft delivery delays. However, the airline appears prepared for a pivot.

“The Turkish Airlines lease helped bridge our long-haul service gap during a crucial recovery period,” an IndiGo spokesperson stated, “but we are aligned with the government’s vision and are ready with alternate strategies.”

The airline is reportedly accelerating deployment of its own wide-body fleet and increasing frequencies on other international routes to ensure uninterrupted global connectivity.

Conclusion: Strategic Priorities Reshaping Air Alliances

As India sharpens its focus on aviation independence and security, the likely termination of the IndiGo-Turkish Airlines pact underscores the delicate balance between commercial partnerships and national interests. For the travel and hospitality ecosystem, the development is a strong reminder of the importance of diversification and agility in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

HospitalityNews will continue to provide timely updates and expert coverage at the intersection of aviation, travel, and hospitality.

In today’s digital-first world, communication is no longer limited to traditional methods like static billboards or printed brochures. Visual storytelling has become the cornerstone of how brands connect with their customers, especially in industries like hospitality and real estate, where experiences are key to building trust and loyalty. At Modwin Networks, we believe in the power of “Building Trust Visually” — a philosophy that’s redefining the way businesses engage with their audiences.

Revolutionizing Guest Engagement in Hospitality

The hospitality industry thrives on creating lasting impressions, and digital signage is the perfect tool to enhance this experience. Imagine a guest walking into a hotel lobby and being greeted not just by a friendly face, but by a customized, dynamic digital display that welcomes them with relevant information tailored to their needs. Whether it’s promoting the hotel’s restaurant, spa, or upcoming events, digital signage ensures that every touchpoint with the guest feels personalized and engaging.

Beyond that, interactive displays offer guests a chance to easily navigate the property with digital maps, book services, or even access real-time updates. This seamless integration of digital signage elevates the guest experience, making it more intuitive and connected to the services available.

Digital Signage in Real Estate: A Game Changer for Property Marketing

For real estate developers, the challenge is often how to make large-scale projects relatable and tangible for potential buyers. Video walls and digital signage have emerged as powerful tools in this space. These visual displays allow developers to bring blueprints and project designs to life in a way that traditional brochures simply can’t. Buyers can now engage in interactive 3D walkthroughs, gaining a better understanding of the space before it’s even built.

Real-time project updates can be showcased through digital displays, giving clients an up-to-date view of a property’s progress. This level of engagement not only builds trust but accelerates the decision-making process, making it easier for clients to feel confident in their investment.

The Modwin Edge: Seamless Integration for Maximum Impact

At Modwin Networks, we don’t just provide technology—we offer tailored digital solutions designed to fit seamlessly into your brand’s vision and architecture. We’ve spent over a decade honing our expertise in system integration, working across IT, AV, networking, and security to deliver comprehensive solutions for clients in diverse industries. Our approach goes beyond simply installing equipment; it’s about creating long-term partnerships that help brands achieve their communication goals.

What makes us different? It’s our focus on delivering bespoke digital experiences that blend perfectly with your space, while offering flexible financial models to meet your budget. We also provide round-the-clock technical support and Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs), ensuring that your digital solutions stay operational and impactful over time.

Expanding Beyond Hospitality

While hospitality and real estate have been the primary adopters of digital signage, there’s an increasing demand for these solutions in other sectors as well. Banks and NBFCs are turning to digital signage to communicate offers, manage queues, and improve branding across their branches. Jewellery retail chains are using video walls to create immersive, premium shopping experiences that tell the story behind each piece of jewellery. Educational institutions are modernizing their campuses with digital noticeboards and interactive displays, keeping students and staff informed in real time.

Retailers and fashion brands are elevating their storefronts with visually striking displays that captivate passersby, while restaurants and lounges are incorporating dynamic menus, chef showcases, and live kitchen feeds to enhance the dining experience. In each of these sectors, digital signage plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between brands and their audiences, offering unique ways to engage and communicate.

India is on the brink of a digital revolution, and the widespread adoption of visual display technology is transforming physical spaces into immersive “digital destinations.” At Modwin Networks, we view digital signage and video walls not just as tools but as strategic assets that enable businesses to engage customers, inform them in real time, and ultimately, build trust.

Our mission is simple: to be the technology partner of choice for businesses looking to leverage digital communication to enhance their brand’s impact. As we continue to expand our footprint, we remain committed to offering the highest level of service and innovation, helping our clients stay ahead in the digital era.

About Mr. Vinod Vattekkat

Mr. Vinod Vattekkat is the Managing Director of Modwin Networks Pvt. Ltd., a leading system integration company specializing in AV, digital signage, networking, and security solutions. With a strong presence in hospitality, commercial, and institutional projects, Modwin Networks has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to enhance their digital communication capabilities.

Learn more at www.modwin.com or email sales@modwin.com