India's coffee sector is moving fast towards quality and better experiences, said Kurma Rao M., CEO and Secretary of the Coffee Board of India, on Monday. At a media conference, he said, "Indian coffee is gaining recognition for its quality and diversity." The India International Coffee Festival (IICF), held from February 12 to 14 in Bengaluru, will help connect coffee growers, processors, and markets. It is hosted by the Speciality Coffee Association of India (SCAI) in partnership with the Coffee Board and Nescafé. Hamsini Appadurai, president of SCAI, added that the 2026 IICF will focus more on quality and business engagement and showcase India’s coffee diversity to both domestic and global markets. The festival follows a farm-to-cup theme, offering workshops, tastings, and sessions on production, processing, roasting, and brewing. These events aim to boost knowledge and appreciation of the quality and traceability of Indian coffee among buyers and consumers. Over 20,000 people are expected to attend, including growers, exporters, cafe brands, and baristas from India, Germany, Japan, Italy, and other countries. The coffee community also highlighted the recent India-U.S. trade deal that removes the 25% tariff on Indian coffee. This zero tariff will help increase exports, especially speciality coffees, to the US. Currently, India exports about 10,000 tonnes of coffee to the US, but volumes are expected to rise significantly under the new trade terms, said a planter from Chikmagaluru. This festival and trade deal mark a big step forward for India's coffee industry on the world stage.