ASME India – Chennaionline

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) India, a national professional organization dedicated to advancing engineering for the benefit of humanity, today inaugurated the second edition of its flagship International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE) India 2026 at the Chennai Trade Centre. Held under the theme “Engineering a Sustainable Future,” the three-day congress brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, academia, MSMEs, startups and students to discuss the technologies, partnerships and talent needed to support India’s next phase of industrial growth. The conference is expected to host 3000+ delegates, 600+ speakers, 900+ papers, 12 technical tracks and 75+ exhibitors. The return of IMECE to India reflects ASME's long-term commitment to one of the world's fastest-growing engineering and manufacturing economies. Building on the momentum of its inaugural edition, IMECE India 2026 serves as a platform for connecting global expertise with India’s industrial ambitions across advanced manufacturing, energy, mobility and digital transformation. Speaking on the occasion, Hon'ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, Thiru. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said, “Sustainability has to be our goal. For what? In the interest of humanity. Every process, every exercise we do, it is for the human being. It is not for myself. It is for the people outside the walls of my laboratory. It is for the people who are there waiting for this particular knowledge, so that they can progress. It is for this purpose that we are here to discuss in the interest of humanity. To be a big visionary or to have this particular vision fulfilled, we all have to work towards Atma Nirbharta. All our goals, all our intentions, all our efforts and exercises are to be directed towards self-reliance.” Speaking at the inauguration, Thomas Costabile, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, ASME, said “When ASME brought IMECE to India for the first time, it reflected our belief that India would play a defining role in the future of global engineering. The response from industry, academia, policymakers and the engineering community reinforced that belief. Today, India is emerging as a critical centre for advanced manufacturing, energy, mobility and digital innovation. The second edition of IMECE India builds on that momentum and provides a platform where global expertise and Indian innovation can come together to address industrial challenges of global significance.” Highlighting the strategic focus areas of this year's congress, Anand Sethupathy, Chief Strategy Officer, ASME, said, “The sectors being highlighted at IMECE India 2026 represent some of the most significant opportunities shaping India's industrial future. From nuclear energy and deep-ocean technologies to aerospace, defence and AI-enabled engineering, these are areas where engineering excellence will directly impact economic growth, technological leadership and national competitiveness. Our plenary discussions are designed to focus on the capabilities, partnerships and workforce readiness needed to translate opportunity into industrial impact.” A key focus of the congress is strengthening India's industrial capabilities in sectors expected to drive long-term economic growth and technological leadership. Discussions during the three-day event will explore opportunities in nuclear manufacturing, the blue economy, aerospace and defence, and digital engineering, while examining how Indian industry can build resilience, scale innovation and strengthen its position in global value chains. The congress agenda includes a dedicated plenary on “Building India’s Nuclear Supply Chain for a 100-GW Future,” while “Engineering the Blue Economy: Offshore, Subsea and Deep-Ocean Technologies for a Sustainable Future” will examine the technologies needed to unlock India’s maritime and ocean economy potential. The spotlight will also turn to manufacturing competitiveness through the plenary “Moving Beyond Build-to-Print: India’s Aerospace, Defence & Hi-Tech Manufacturing.” Meanwhile, “Engineering the Intelligent Future: AI, Digital Twins and Data-Driven Mechanical Engineering” will explore how artificial intelligence, digital twins and advanced data systems are transforming engineering and manufacturing. Commenting on the choice of host city, Madhukar Sharma, President and Director, ASME India, said “Chennai has long been one of India's foremost centres for mechanical engineering, manufacturing excellence and technical education. From automotive and heavy engineering to energy, aerospace and research, the city has played a defining role in India's industrial growth story. Hosting IMECE India 2026 here is both a recognition of that legacy and an opportunity to bring together engineering leaders from across India and around the world to discuss the future of engineering and manufacturing.” Dr. K. Shanmuga Sundaram, Congress Chair and Director, Centre for University-Industry Collaboration, Anna University added “IMECE India 2026 brings together industry, academia, government, researchers, startups and students on a common platform. By fostering collaboration across these stakeholders, the congress creates opportunities to accelerate innovation, strengthen industry-academia partnerships and support India's engineering ambitions.” Beyond technology and industry, the congress places a strong emphasis on talent development and innovation. Building on the MEEd India 2026 Engineering Education Symposium held at Anna University, the event features programmes such as Brain Bolt: The Engineer’s Sprint 2026, ASME ISHOW India, Innovation Square and Women in Engineering, providing opportunities for students, entrepreneurs and emerging innovators to showcase solutions and engage with engineering leaders. Running through September 5, IMECE India 2026 reinforces Chennai's position as a leading engineering and manufacturing destination while creating a platform for the conversations, collaborations and innovations that will help shape the future of engineering in India.