Nirmala Sitharaman pitches India as global manufacturing and innovation hub

Nirmala Sitharaman manufacturing hub G20 Finance Ministers global supply chains GIFT City

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is conducting a nine-day official visit to Canada and the United States, aimed at strengthening bilateral economic partnerships and engaging with global investors. During a high-level Business Roundtable in Chicago, Sitharaman pitched India as a strategic platform for global manufacturing, innovation, and services, rather than just a consumer market. She urged companies to use India to build products for international markets, particularly as global supply chains undergo reassessment.

Key investment sectors highlighted include artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electronics, defense, digital technology, and financial services. Sitharaman emphasized India's robust digital public infrastructure—such as Aadhaar and UPI—and the growing importance of Global Capability Centres. She also invited financial institutions to explore opportunities at the GIFT International Financial Services Centre, which reported 1,250 registered entities as of June 2026.

In addition to business engagements, Sitharaman is participating in the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meetings in Asheville, North Carolina. During her visit, she also met with 3M leadership to discuss expanding research, development, and advanced manufacturing investments within India.

Entities

3M · Canada · Chicago · François-Philippe Champagne · G20 · GIFT International Financial Services Centre · Ministry of Finance · Nasdaq · Nirmala Sitharaman · United States · University of Chicago

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The gross non-performing assets ratio of Scheduled Commercial Banks in India declined to 2.31 per cent in March 2025. www.orissapost.com
[● 6 SOURCES] India is promoting sectors including AI, semiconductors, electronics, and defense for global investment. www.indiaweekly.biz · businessnewsweek.in · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.chennaionline.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · +1 more
[● 2 SOURCES] India is ready to initiate negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty with Canada. www.theindianpanorama.news · www.indiandefensenews.in
[● 7 SOURCES] India is a platform for global production, innovation, services, and exports. nagalandpost.com · www.indiaweekly.biz · businessnewsweek.in · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.chennaionline.com · +2 more
[● 2 SOURCES] India aims to conclude the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Canada by the end of 2026. www.theindianpanorama.news · www.indiandefensenews.in
[● 3 SOURCES] The GIFT International Financial Services Centre had 1,250 registered entities as of June 2026. www.indiaweekly.biz · businessnewsweek.in · theshillongtimes.com
[DISPUTED] Sitharaman will lead the Indian delegation at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meetings in Asheville, North Carolina. www.maalaimalar.com · www.dtnext.in · thecsrjournal.in
[● 2 SOURCES] India and Canada aim to expand bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030. www.theindianpanorama.news · www.indiandefensenews.in
[DISPUTED] Sitharaman is on a nine-day visit to Canada and the US ending September 2. www.connectedtoindia.com · www.dtnext.in
[● 4 SOURCES] India's digital public infrastructure includes Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, ONDC, and India Stack. businessnewsweek.in · www.chennaionline.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · theshillongtimes.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Sitharaman met with 3M CEO William Brown to discuss R&D and advanced manufacturing investment in India. www.punjabkesari.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] India and Canada are conducting an Economic and Financial Dialogue. www.dtnext.in