Piyush Goyal Urges Global Investment at CII Partnership Summit

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal urged global businesses to establish manufacturing plants, research centers, and data centers in India during the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on November 12, 2026. Goyal characterized India as an "oasis in the desert" amid global economic turbulence, arguing that the 21st century is defined by "trust arbitrage" rather than cost arbitrage.

To attract international investors, Goyal highlighted India's expanding trade access, noting that free trade agreements now provide preferential access to economies representing nearly $70 trillion of global GDP, with a target of $85 trillion. He specifically addressed intellectual property concerns, stating that India does not steal technology or require technology transfers. As evidence of technological growth, he cited emerging hubs in Andhra Pradesh, including a proposed drone city at Orvakal, a space city at Tirupati, and a green hydrogen hub at Pudimadaka.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu also spoke at the summit, declaring India a global force capable of shaping the new economic order. Naidu attributed this trajectory to India's digital ecosystem and advancements in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and quantum computing. He announced the 10-year extension of the UDAN regional connectivity scheme with a 30,000 crore rupee outlay, aiming to develop 100 new airports and 200 modern heliports to expand the nation's aviation infrastructure.