Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged international investors to look at India not just as a large consumer market but as a global base for manufacturing, technology and innovation. She called on businesses to establish production facilities as well as research and technology centres in the country and use its talent and expanding capabilities to develop products for global markets.
Speaking at a high-level business roundtable in Chicago with investors and business leaders, Sitharaman highlighted India’s economic expansion, continued policy reforms and the growing opportunities available to companies seeking long-term investments.
According to PTI, she said India’s investment proposition is supported by its large market, skilled workforce, infrastructure, technological capabilities and reforms undertaken over the past decade.
“The policy environment is increasingly focused on enabling businesses to invest, manufacture, innovate and expand,” she said at the roundtable organised by India’s Consulate General in Chicago in association with US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.
India Wants To Move Beyond Being A Consumer Market
Sitharaman’s central message to investors was that India can serve as a platform for global production and innovation rather than simply being a destination for selling products.
She encouraged international companies to co-develop and co-produce products in India while using the country as a base to serve customers worldwide. The discussion was centred on the theme “Manufacture in India — for India and for the world”, covering sectors such as manufacturing, artificial intelligence and digital technology, financial services, infrastructure, food processing, defence and advanced technologies.
“As global companies reassess supply chains and capital allocation, India offers not only scale as a market, but increasing depth as a long-term investment and operating platform,” PTI said, quoting Sitharaman.
The minister pointed to India’s engineering workforce, manufacturing capabilities and technology ecosystem as key advantages for businesses looking to diversify and strengthen global supply chains.
AI, Semiconductors And GCCs Among Key Opportunities
Sitharaman also highlighted India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, including Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, ONDC and India Stack. According to her, these systems have demonstrated the ability to operate at population scale and have created a foundation for businesses to develop new technology-led services.
“The next opportunity is to build higher-value businesses in AI, engineering, analytics, product development, semiconductors and electronics, with India’s Global Capability Centres increasingly becoming global innovation hubs,” she said.
The government is also seeking to encourage deeper manufacturing activity rather than limiting India’s role to assembly. Sitharaman said policy support, including production-linked incentive schemes, is helping push investment towards component manufacturing, engineering and advanced technologies.
She also highlighted GIFT City as another avenue for international investors. With 1,250 registered entities as of June 2026, the financial hub provides opportunities in banking, fund management, reinsurance, aircraft and ship leasing, sustainable finance and other cross-border activities.
Infrastructure And Food Processing Offer Long-Term Potential
Infrastructure was another major area highlighted by the Finance Minister. Expansion in dedicated freight corridors, railway modernisation, electrification and high-speed rail is expected to generate opportunities for companies involved in engineering, materials, specialised equipment and technology.
Sitharaman also pointed to the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund as a platform through which global investors can participate in India’s infrastructure growth.
Beyond technology and infrastructure, she identified food processing as an area with considerable potential. India’s agricultural base, rising incomes and evolving consumer preferences are creating opportunities in processing, packaging, automation, logistics and cold-chain infrastructure.
The minister said these businesses could cater to India’s expanding domestic demand while also developing products and capabilities for international markets.
Defence And Advanced Technologies In Focus
Sitharaman further highlighted India’s efforts to build domestic capabilities in advanced technologies. Through programmes such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and iDEX, the country is seeking to strengthen its ecosystem in areas including drones, autonomous systems and other emerging technologies.
Her pitch comes as global companies reassess supply chains and investment strategies. India is seeking to position itself as a destination capable of combining a large domestic market with manufacturing depth, skilled talent and technology capabilities.
Sitharaman is currently on a six-day visit to the US. Her itinerary includes participation in the G-20 Finance Ministers’ meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, as well as a visit to New York.
(With Agency Inputs)
