India On The Investment Radar: Sitharaman Meets US CEOs, Highlights New Opportunities

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stepped up India’s investment outreach in the United States, meeting senior executives from leading global companies and inviting them to expand their operations in India.

During meetings in Chicago, Sitharaman engaged with business leaders from diverse sectors including artificial intelligence, defence technology, agriculture, food, automobiles, hospitality and consumer goods. Her message was clear: India is positioning itself not merely as a large market, but as a potential global hub for technology, manufacturing, exports and financial operations.

Sitharaman met Brandon Tseng, co-founder and president of Shield AI, with discussions focusing on opportunities for deeper cooperation in AI-enabled autonomy, unmanned systems and next-generation defence technologies. The engagement included possibilities spanning research and development, technology development, co-development and co-production.

Agriculture and food major Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) was another key focus. Sitharaman highlighted the company’s long-standing engagement with India, including partnerships with farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations, as well as its global technology and AI capabilities in Bengaluru. She also pointed to opportunities for India to support ADM’s international operations through exports, technology and treasury functions, with GIFT IFSC offering potential for global financial activities.

Sitharaman also met Visteon Corporation CEO Sachin Lawande, discussing India’s growing importance as a market and technology centre, while Hyatt chief Mark Hoplamazian discussed opportunities to further expand the hospitality group’s presence as India’s tourism sector grows.

With Mondelez International, the discussions centred on expanding manufacturing, sourcing, services and exports. Sitharaman stressed the government’s efforts to reduce the cost and complexity of doing business through regulatory simplification, digitalisation and improved infrastructure.

The finance minister is on a six-day US visit, during which she is also scheduled to attend the G-20 Finance Ministers’ meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, and visit New York.