India World’s Most Trusted Investment Destination: Piyush Goyal

• Piyush Goyal says India has emerged as the world’s most trusted investment destination
• Strong investor interest witnessed during Canada and US engagements
• India aims to operationalize nine recently concluded trade agreements within 10 months
• Jan Vishwas Act 2.0 decriminalizes nearly 1,000 offences; Bhavya scheme to develop 100 industrial parks

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4th June: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said India has emerged as the world’s most trusted investment destination, citing strong investor confidence, expanding trade partnerships, policy reforms and sustained economic growth.

Delivering the keynote address virtually at the Citi India Conference 2026, Goyal said India continues to be recognized as the world’s fastest-growing major economy and is well-positioned to maintain this momentum for decades.

Addressing global investors and business leaders, the minister said India’s ability to convert global crises into opportunities has strengthened its position as a preferred destination for trade, manufacturing, business and investments.

Referring to his recent engagements in Canada and the United States, Goyal said investor sentiment towards India remains overwhelmingly positive. He noted that discussions with pension funds, insurance companies and leading investment firms reflected growing confidence in India’s long-term growth story.

“India is increasingly being viewed as the only credible alternative manufacturing hub, a trusted partner and a safe investment destination backed by democracy, rule of law, decisive leadership and a market of 1.4 billion people,” he said.

Goyal highlighted India’s expanding trade footprint, noting that the country has signed nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) over the last three to three-and-a-half years, covering 38 developed economies.

He said these agreements are facilitating greater market access, investment flows, talent mobility and the establishment of Global Capability Centres in India.

The minister announced that the Oman Free Trade Agreement came into effect on June 1 and indicated that at least two to three more major trade agreements are expected to become operational within the next six months.

India is also aiming to implement all nine recently concluded trade agreements within the next nine to ten months, he added.

Highlighting reforms to improve the ease of doing business, Goyal referred to the recently enacted Jan Vishwas Act 2.0, which decriminalizes nearly 1,000 offences across various central laws where there is no intent to defraud and no threat to public safety or health.

He said the reform reflects the government’s trust-based governance model and will reduce compliance burdens while improving the business environment.

The minister also highlighted the Bhavya Scheme, under which 100 industrial parks will be developed across the country with an investment outlay of nearly USD 3.5 billion.

The parks will offer plug-and-play infrastructure, factory-ready facilities, worker housing, utilities, environmental clearances, digital connectivity and common treatment facilities to support manufacturing and MSME growth.

Goyal said India is rapidly strengthening its manufacturing ecosystem through reforms, infrastructure development and labour code implementation. He noted that four labour codes have been activated, simplifying compliance and consolidating 29 labour laws into a streamlined framework.

The minister underscored India’s resilience during recent global energy disruptions, stating that diversified energy sourcing helped ensure uninterrupted supplies of fuel and gas despite geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

He also highlighted the country’s infrastructure push, noting that nearly USD 130 billion is being invested in highways, ports, airports and rural connectivity projects. India’s port and airport capacities have doubled over the past decade, he said.

On technology and innovation, Goyal pointed to India’s rapid 5G rollout, semiconductor ambitions and growing focus on artificial intelligence. He welcomed the decision by Tata and ASML to establish India’s first semiconductor capital equipment manufacturing facility.

The minister said India is moving beyond assembly-based manufacturing toward innovation-driven growth powered by research, design, technology development and indigenous capabilities.

He added that India offers a secure ecosystem for global investors, with strong protection for intellectual property, technology and data privacy.

Concluding his address, Goyal said India offers “potential, possibility and profitability” for global investors and expressed confidence that the country will emerge as the defining growth story of the 21st century.

He urged investors to bring long-term capital and participate in India’s transformation journey towards becoming a developed nation under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.