FM Nirmala Sitharaman Addresses Business Roundtable in Chicago,...
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a high-level business roundtable in Chicago, inviting global investors to capitalize on India's...
By GT24x7 Correspondents··GlobalToday24x7
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a high-level business roundtable featuring prominent corporate leaders, institutional investors, and global business executives in Chicago, United States, on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Emphasizing India's accelerating economic trajectory, the Finance Minister invited global conglomerates to invest in the country, showcasing its expanding industrial capacity and investment-friendly environment. The roundtable discussion centered on the strategic theme of "Manufacture in India - For India and For the World," positioning the nation as a premier global hub for manufacturing, innovation, and digital transformation.
During her address, Sitharaman highlighted that India's key economic pillars—including robust domestic demand, investment-driven growth, structural resilience, a highly skilled talent pool, and rapidly expanding physical and digital infrastructure—make it an attractive destination for foreign direct investment. She urged international companies to view India not merely as a large consumer market, but as a long-term strategic base for global manufacturing, product design, and operational excellence. Furthermore, she underscored the transformative impact of India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in fostering economic inclusion and driving tech-enabled governance.
Key Investment Sectors and Strategic Opportunities
Expanding on technological advancements, the Finance Minister showcased India's successful digital ecosystems, referencing key frameworks such as UPI, DigiLocker, ONDC, and India Stack alongside India's foundational public digital services. She outlined lucrative investment avenues in emerging high-growth domains, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductor fabrication, electronics manufacturing, and Global Capability Centers (GCCs).
In the financial services sector, Sitharaman highlighted the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT IFSC) as a vital gateway connecting international capital with Indian growth opportunities, noting that over 1,250 entities had registered at the center by June 2026. The deliberations also encompassed strategic investment prospects across traditional and advanced sectors, including defense production, food processing, heavy infrastructure, and next-generation technologies.
Call for Global Collaboration and Innovation
Closing her address, Nirmala Sitharaman called upon global enterprise leaders to adopt a collaborative approach of "co-develop, co-produce, and manufacture for the global market" in partnership with Indian industries. She reiterated that India is uniquely positioned to serve as a reliable partner in global supply chains, offering operational stability, policy continuity, and scalable infrastructure.
The roundtable concluded with interactive sessions where international investors expressed keen interest in expanding their operational footprint in India, praising the government's sustained policy reforms and proactive industrial push.