Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Sitharaman Pitches India as Global Manufacturing Innovation Hub
India wants to become a bigger place for companies to invent and make products.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman discussed this with 3M leader William Brown.
She asked 3M to invest more in research and advanced factories in India.
She also encouraged the company to build stronger local supply chains.
This could help 3M serve Indian customers and markets in other countries.
The two sides talked about keeping data safe and using India’s skilled workers.
Brown said India has many talented people and good opportunities for technology development.
The meeting happened during a G20 finance meeting in the United States.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged 3M to increase investments in Indian research and development, advanced manufacturing and local supply chains.
Sitharaman met 3M Chairman and CEO William Brown in Asheville, North Carolina, alongside the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting.
The discussions focused on expanding 3M’s engagement with India beyond consumer markets into technology, innovation and advanced manufacturing.
The meeting covered data security and ways to use India’s talent pool within domestic enterprise ecosystems.
Brown praised India’s talent pool and technology opportunities and acknowledged support from the Indian government’s economic and structural reforms.
- Who
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and 3M Chairman and CEO William Brown.
- What
- They discussed expanding 3M’s investments in India’s research, advanced manufacturing, technology development and local supply chains.
- When
- Monday, during Sitharaman’s participation in the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting and related engagements.
- Where
- Asheville, North Carolina, United States.
- Why
- Sitharaman wants India to develop as a hub for manufacturing, technology and innovation and urged 3M to deepen its local presence.
- Indian official
- Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs
- Company
- 3M
- 3M representative
- William Brown, Chairman and CEO
- Main request
- Increase investment in research and development, advanced manufacturing and local supply-chain networks in India
- Additional topics
- Data security and the use of India’s talent pool within domestic enterprise ecosystems
- Meeting setting
- G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Asheville, North Carolina
- Indian ambassador
- Vinay Mohan Kwatra, India’s Ambassador to the United States
