Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met leaders from IBM, Estée Lauder, Blackstone, and Nike during his official visit to the US. He pitched India as a destination for greater manufacturing and long-term investment. Goyal said, "India's macroeconomic fundamentals and deepening capital markets" offer global investors chances to create value.
Goyal's New York meetings span AI, finance, insurance and consumer goods, with India seeking deeper corporate ties, manufacturing commitments and long-term capital from global giants.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is pitching India as a destination for greater manufacturing, sourcing and long-term investment during his official visit to the US, as he meets senior executives from some of the world's biggest companies across technology, finance, insurance, consumer goods and sportswear.
In New York, Goyal met IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna to explore ways to build on the technology giant's longstanding presence in India and deepen collaboration in artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, quantum computing and other frontier technologies. The discussions also focused on leveraging India's talent pool and growing digital adoption to develop and scale global solutions.
Goyal also met Stéphane de La Faveri, President and CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies, to explore ways for the company to strengthen its presence in India through greater manufacturing and sourcing from the country.
With Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Goyal discussed avenues to expand the company's presence in India with Juan Ricardo Luciano, Chair of the Board and CEO.
He also met senior leaders at Nike, including EVP and COO Venkatesh Alagirisamy, EVP and Chief Legal Officer Rob Leinwand, and VP and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Jorge Casimiro. The discussions centred on building on Nike's engagement with India and expanding its presence across manufacturing, local sourcing and the broader sports ecosystem.
In the financial sector, Goyal met Blackstone President and COO Jonathan Gray and Prakash Melwani, Chairman of the company's International Private Equity business, to explore ways to deepen the investment firm's engagement and partnerships in India.
He also met Neuberger Berman Chairman and CEO George Walker and other senior executives to discuss strengthening investment linkages and partnerships across financial and wealth management.
Goyal highlighted India's macroeconomic fundamentals and deepening capital markets as opportunities for global institutional investors to create long-term value.
Goyal's meetings with global insurers focused on India's expanding insurance and financial services market and the rising demand for long-term savings and protection.
During his meeting with MetLife President and CEO Michel A. Khalaf, the Minister discussed the company's growth opportunities in India, citing the expansion of the insurance and financial services sector and increasing demand for long-term savings and protection.
He also met Mark Tucker, Non-Executive Chairman of AIA Group, to discuss the company's engagement in India and scope for deeper investment in the insurance and financial services sectors.
Goyal highlighted India's "comprehensive regulatory reforms and rising demand for insurance coverage", saying the country offers global insurers "an ideal platform for long-term growth."