6 October 2026 (Navroze Bureau) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has intensified India’s investment outreach in the United States, holding meetings with senior executives of major global companies and financial institutions to promote deeper investment and business partnerships with India.
During his recent US visit, Goyal met senior leaders from Blackstone, Neuberger Berman and The Estée Lauder Companies in New York. The discussions covered investment opportunities, financial and wealth management services, manufacturing, sourcing and the potential for expanding business operations in India.
At Blackstone, Goyal met President and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Gray and Prakash Melwani, chairman of the investment firm’s international private equity business. The discussions focused on ways to deepen Blackstone’s investment and partnership with India.
Goyal also held talks with George Walker, chairman and CEO of Neuberger Berman, along with senior members of the company’s leadership team. Discussions centred on financial and wealth management opportunities and strengthening investment linkages with India.
The minister highlighted India’s economic fundamentals and deepening capital markets while presenting the country as a market offering significant opportunities for global institutional investors. He stressed the potential for long-term value creation through greater investment and business cooperation.
Goyal’s meeting with Estée Lauder Companies President and CEO Stéphane de La Faverie focused on expanding the company’s presence in India. Discussions included increasing manufacturing and sourcing from the country and taking advantage of the expanding Indian beauty and personal care market.
The meetings were part of Goyal’s broader US outreach during his September 29 to October 5 visit. He travelled to the country to participate in the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting and engage with American businesses, investors, technology companies and the Indian diaspora.
Earlier during the visit, Goyal also met senior executives from American manufacturing and technology companies at a business roundtable hosted by the National Association of Manufacturers in Milwaukee. He invited US manufacturers to expand their presence in India, partner with Indian small and medium enterprises and co-invest in advanced manufacturing.
Goyal emphasised that India-US economic ties are increasingly moving beyond traditional trade and now encompass investment, manufacturing, technology, innovation and resilient supply chains. He also highlighted India’s expanding industrial base and skilled workforce.
The government is seeking greater participation from international companies as India works to strengthen its position as a global manufacturing and investment hub. The outreach is aimed at encouraging multinational companies to increase manufacturing, sourcing and investment in India while building stronger supply-chain partnerships.
Goyal’s discussions with major American companies come alongside ongoing negotiations between India and the United States over a proposed bilateral trade agreement. The two countries have continued talks on an interim arrangement and a broader trade pact, although US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently said an agreement was not imminent.
The investment discussions provide another channel for strengthening economic ties even as trade negotiations continue. Increased investment from American companies could support manufacturing capacity, employment, technology partnerships and integration of Indian businesses into global supply chains.
During his visit, Goyal also met representatives of companies including Target, Nike and Archer Daniels Midland. The discussions covered opportunities to expand manufacturing, sourcing and investment in India across retail, sports, food processing and agricultural value chains.
Goyal has also pitched India as an increasingly important global trade and investment destination. In Chicago, he highlighted the country’s ambition to expand its network of free trade agreements and strengthen its role in international commerce.
India’s large consumer market, engineering capabilities, startup ecosystem and expanding manufacturing base are among the factors being highlighted by the government in its efforts to attract global capital.
The outreach comes at a time when companies worldwide are reassessing supply chains and looking for additional manufacturing and sourcing locations. The Indian government is seeking to position the country as a reliable destination for companies looking to diversify production and build long-term operations.
For US investors, India’s expanding domestic market and growing technology and manufacturing capabilities offer opportunities across multiple sectors. At the same time, foreign investors continue to seek greater regulatory clarity and easier market access as they assess new investments.
Goyal’s meetings therefore form part of a broader effort to strengthen India-US economic engagement through both trade and investment. The government is seeking to convert discussions with global companies into deeper commercial partnerships and increased investment commitments.
With trade negotiations continuing between New Delhi and Washington, investment outreach is expected to remain an important component of India’s economic diplomacy. Goyal’s latest meetings underline the government’s focus on attracting global investors while promoting India as a destination for manufacturing, technology, sourcing and long-term business expansion.