FM Sitharaman Urges World to Manufacture in India, Build For Global Markets

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has invited global investors to establish manufacturing facilities, technology centres and innovation hubs in India, urging businesses to use the country's talent and expanding opportunities to build products and services for global markets. Addressing a high-level Business Roundtable with investors and business leaders in Chicago, Sitharaman highlighted India's broad-based economic growth and continuing reform momentum. She presented India as a long-term investment destination capable of supporting both domestic demand and international production. Her message centred on the opportunity to manufacture in India while using the country as a base to serve markets around the world.

Sitharaman emphasised that India's investment proposition is not dependent on any single sector or industry. Instead, she said it rests on the convergence of several factors, including the country's scale, economic growth, skilled talent, infrastructure, technology and sustained reforms. This combination, according to the Finance Minister, creates a broader foundation for businesses considering long-term investments. She encouraged investors to look beyond individual sectors and assess the opportunities created by India's overall economic transformation and expanding capabilities.

The Finance Minister highlighted India's growing importance as a manufacturing and technology destination, pointing to the opportunities available to companies seeking to expand their global operations. Establishing manufacturing bases in India can allow businesses to access a large workforce and growing domestic market while also developing production capabilities for international customers. Similarly, technology and innovation centres can benefit from India's expanding pool of skilled professionals and established technology ecosystem. Sitharaman urged investors to take advantage of these capabilities and contribute to India's role in global supply chains.

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The discussions in Chicago also focused on India's reform momentum and the broader investment environment. Sitharaman highlighted reforms undertaken over the past decade as part of the country's efforts to strengthen economic activity and create conditions for investment. Infrastructure development, technological progress and the expansion of India's economic scale were presented as factors supporting the country's long-term growth prospects. The government is seeking greater participation from international businesses as India continues to expand its manufacturing capabilities and strengthen its position in global commerce.

Sitharaman's appeal comes amid India's efforts to attract more foreign investment and encourage companies to establish deeper operational footprints in the country. The government has increasingly promoted India as a destination where companies can combine access to domestic consumers with opportunities to produce for overseas markets. Investment in manufacturing, technology and innovation can also contribute to employment, skill development and the integration of Indian businesses into international value chains. The Finance Minister's message to global investors therefore linked foreign investment with India's broader ambition to strengthen its productive and technological capacity.

The Business Roundtable provided Sitharaman with an opportunity to engage directly with investors and business leaders about India's economic prospects and investment opportunities. Her central message was that India's appeal extends beyond individual industries and is supported by a combination of scale, growth, talent, infrastructure, technology and reforms. By encouraging businesses to manufacture in India and build for global markets, she sought to position the country as a long-term partner for international companies looking to expand their operations. The government is expected to continue promoting investment opportunities as India seeks to deepen its role in global manufacturing, technology and innovation.

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