FM Sitharaman meets leaders in Munich, touts investment opportunities

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a series of high-level bilateral meetings in Munich during her ongoing visit, underscoring India’s growing role in global financial architecture and highlighting investment opportunities across sectors.Sitharaman met Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), where both leaders welcomed the finalisation of the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in January 2026. The Finance Minister underlined the important role the ECB can play in facilitating trade and financial flows under the EU–India FTA framework.She also noted that through the Union Budgets 2025–26 and 2026–27, India will permit European Union banks to open up to 15 branches over four years as part of commitments under the India–EU FTA arrangement.
In another engagement, Sitharaman met Vera Songwe, Chair and Founder of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility. Discussions focused on global capital markets and structural challenges facing emerging economies, particularly issues related to fiscal space amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.
The Finance Minister also held meetings with Brigitte Haas, Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, and Alois Philipp Maria, H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein. The discussions centred on ongoing investments by Liechtenstein-based companies in India and explored opportunities to scale up partnerships in manufacturing, environment-friendly technologies, agriculture-related equipment, and climate action initiatives.Sitharaman apprised the leaders of investment avenues through the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) as India’s financial gateway, and broader prospects within the country’s expanding manufacturing sector.The meetings highlighted India’s emphasis on strengthening financial cooperation with European partners while positioning itself as a key destination for sustainable and long-term global investments.

(Business Correspondent)