FM Sitharaman pitches India to Canadian investors, seeks deeper investment flows

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been actively engaging Canadian investors in India, highlighting the country's vast opportunities in infrastructure, technology, capital markets, and critical minerals. During her visit to Toronto, Sitharaman met with high-ranking executives from Canaccord Genuity, a prominent Canadian investment bank.

These discussions focused on expanding the bank's involvement in Indian companies, supporting them in accessing global capital, and exploring opportunities for acquisition. Sitharaman emphasized India's large and growing domestic market, as well as its robust capital markets and macroeconomic resilience. She also discussed reforms aimed at improving investor protection, ease of doing business, and dispute resolution.

Canada is viewed as a crucial partner due to its wealth of institutional investors and businesses that can provide significant capital and expertise to India's rapidly expanding economy. Sitharaman encouraged Canaccord Genuity to explore various sectors in India, such as renewable energy, urban infrastructure, and data centers. She also met with other Canadian financial leaders, including John Graham, president and CEO of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), and Jo Taylor, president and CEO of Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP).

These meetings reinforced Canada's confidence in India's long-term investment potential, with a focus on expanding infrastructure investments and co-investment opportunities, particularly in transmission, transport, urban infrastructure, and renewable energy. Sitharaman highlighted GIFT IFSC as a platform for global investors, encouraging increased participation from Canadian institutions in India's growth sectors.