Nirmala Sitharaman Urges Global Firms to Manufacture in India
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has invited global investors to establish manufacturing bases, technology centres and innovation hubs in India, urging international companies to view the country not merely as a large consumer market but as a platform for building products and capabilities for global markets.
Sitharaman Invites Global Firms to Manufacture in India
Addressing a high-level business roundtable in Chicago, Sitharaman highlighted India’s economic growth, expanding infrastructure, skilled workforce and sustained policy reforms as key advantages for long-term investors.
She urged global companies to co-develop and co-produce in India, taking advantage of the country’s engineering talent and growing manufacturing ecosystem.
The roundtable focused on the theme “Manufacture in India — for India and for the world”.
AI, Semiconductors and Defence Offer Investment Scope
Sitharaman highlighted opportunities across manufacturing, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, financial services, infrastructure, food processing, defence and advanced technologies.
She said India was moving beyond assembly towards deeper component manufacturing, engineering and advanced technology production, supported by measures including production-linked incentives.
India’s digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, ONDC and India Stack, has also created opportunities for higher-value businesses in AI, analytics, semiconductors, electronics and product development.
GIFT City Positioned as Global Finance Gateway
Sitharaman also invited international financial institutions to explore GIFT City, which had around 1,250 registered entities as of June 2026.
She highlighted opportunities in banking, fund management, reinsurance, aircraft and ship leasing and sustainable finance.
The Finance Minister also pointed to India’s infrastructure expansion, including freight corridors, railway modernisation and electrification, as areas offering opportunities for global capital and technology.
