Sitharaman Highlights India Investment in Munich Talks

• Sitharaman met ECB President Lagarde, highlighting the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and EU bank expansion in India
• Discussions with leaders from Germany, Liechtenstein, and BMW focused on investments, trade, digital infrastructure, and sustainable partnerships
• She emphasized Viksit Bharat 2047, reforms, digital payments, healthcare initiatives, and sustainable growth

The officials from both parties confirmed that the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement reached its final agreement in January 2026. The European Central Bank will support trade operations between India and the European Union through its functions, according to the Indian Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, who mentioned that Indian EU banking operations will allow up to 15 new branches during the period from 2025 to 2027 through the FTA agreement.

Nirmala Sitharaman engaged in high-level Munich meetings to promote India investment through bilateral talks with global investors, advancing economic diplomacy, attracting foreign investment India, and strengthening international cooperation.

She met Vera Songwe, who serves as the Chair and Founder of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility, to examine global capital market operations together with the structural challenges that developing countries encounter during periods of changing geopolitical dynamics.

The Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Brigitte Haas and Alois Philipp Maria, H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein were present for the meeting, where Sitharaman discussed current business activities of Liechtenstein companies in India and their plans to develop manufacturing processes, environmentally sustainable technologies, agricultural tools and climate change solutions.

The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, together with the International Financial Services Centres Authority, provides international investors access to all Indian financial markets and manufacturing operations, according to her statement.

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The meeting between Sitharaman and Lars Klingbeil in Germany established stronger ties between their countries, which had developed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's January visit through defence, trade, technology and metro rail projects.

India achieved success in digital payment systems, while it showed readiness to work together on developing digital infrastructure, which India showed expertise in handling payments through its digital systems.

She conducted a meeting with Eric Beisswenger, who holds the position of Bavarian Minister for European and International Affairs, to discuss climate finance, sustainable partnerships and recycling best practices, while India showed its dedication to developing skilling and healthcare programs under the Union Budget 2026-27 plans.

The discussions with Oliver Zipse, who serves as Chairman of BMW AG, addressed the changes which India implemented through its continuous policy development, and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, including GST, Customs, PLI schemes, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and battery infrastructure.

Sitharaman attended the high-level Munich Security Conference Roundtable at Munich, where she took part in key panel discussions and multiple bilateral meetings with ministers, counterparts and heads of multilateral organizations.