Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that India is “the place to be” for long-term capital inflows. In an exclusive interview, she explained that strong political stability, clear policies, and a stable tax system make India a preferred destination for global investors.
According to Sitharaman, investors around the world are looking for safe and reliable markets where they can invest for the long term. India offers exactly that. She said the country’s steady governance and predictable policies give confidence to foreign investors who want consistent returns over time.
The Finance Minister also highlighted the growing “China-plus-one” strategy, where global companies want to reduce dependence on a single country for manufacturing and investments. In this strategy, India stands out as the best alternative. She said India offers strong fundamentals, a large market, and attractive returns on investment, making it ideal for global capital looking beyond China.
Sitharaman noted rising interest from investors in countries like Norway and Canada. She shared that funds from these nations are keen to enter the Indian market, and she is planning visits to both countries to strengthen investment ties. She also pointed out that countries under the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have committed to investing $100 billion in India, showing strong global confidence in the country’s growth story.
On the question of further easing limits on foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign portfolio investment (FPI), Sitharaman said such decisions depend on individual ministries. However, she added that in most sectors, investment limits have already been relaxed, showing India’s openness to foreign capital.
The Finance Minister also spoke about key reforms introduced outside the Budget. She said major changes like GST reforms and labour codes were rolled out when systems were ready, rather than waiting for Budget announcements.
Finally, she said investor sentiment is expected to improve further after the India-US trade deal, which has reduced tariff-related uncertainty and boosted confidence among global investors.
