G20 meeting in Asheville highlights India's growing role in advanced manufacturing

At the G‑20 gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors held in Asheville, North Carolina, India’s ascent as a centre for advanced manufacturing received prominent attention. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, speaking alongside 3M Chairman‑CEO William Brown, underscored that India offers more than a sizeable consumer base; it provides a fertile ground for high‑tech production and innovation‑centric supply chains.

The minister cited India’s robust human capital, expanding industrial parks, and policy reforms aimed at simplifying business operations. She argued that these strengths enable global corporations to achieve scale, reduce costs and enhance competitiveness.

Key topics discussed included safeguarding intellectual property, enhancing technology transfer mechanisms, and integrating Indian engineers and scientists into multinational project teams. The dialogue reinforced the message that India is ready to serve as a strategic node in worldwide manufacturing networks.