‘Build for the world’: Sitharaman unveils India’s big manufacturing pitch in Chicago

Following the meeting, Sitharaman said in a social media post that she highlighted India’s broad-based economic growth, ongoing reform momentum and expanding opportunities for long-term investment.

The key focus of the meeting was “Manufacture in India — for India and for the world”, with investment opportunities spanning manufacturing, artificial intelligence and digital technology, financial services, infrastructure, food processing, defence and advanced technologies.

“As global companies reassess supply chains and capital allocation, India offers not only scale as a market, but increasing depth as a long-term investment and operating platform,” she said, according to Fortune India.

Sitharaman also highlighted the evolving opportunities in Indian manufacturing, saying the sector is moving beyond assembly towards component manufacturing, engineering and advanced technologies, supported by policy measures such as the production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes.

In a separate Facebook post, Sitharaman said she had invited global partners to “co-develop, co-produce and build for global markets”, urging them not to view India merely as a market to serve but as a platform from which to build for the world.

She highlighted India’s potential as a manufacturing base, technology and innovation centre, consumer market and destination for long-term infrastructure investment, backed by the country's engineering talent, manufacturing capabilities and technology ecosystem.

Sitharaman is currently on an official visit to Canada and the United States from August 25 to September 2, aimed at strengthening bilateral economic and financial partnerships, deepening investment ties and advancing cooperation on shared global economic priorities.