India Offers Strong Investment Climate, HD Kumaraswamy Tells AKKA Business Forum in Philadelphia; Urges Diaspora to Create Jobs
Philadelphia/Bengaluru: India’s economy is moving on a strong growth trajectory under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offers an attractive environment for investment, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy said, urging Indians living abroad to use their technology expertise and professional experience to establish businesses in India and create jobs.
Addressing the ‘Business Forum–2026’ organised as part of the AKKA Silver Convention in Philadelphia, Kumaraswamy said India was advancing rapidly in entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, while the Union government was providing a range of facilities and opportunities for entrepreneurs and young people.
He called on Indians settled overseas, including Kannadigas, to make use of these opportunities by setting up enterprises in India and contributing to employment generation.
“Use your technical knowledge and experience to build businesses in India. Do not remain only job seekers; become entrepreneurs who provide jobs. Use your experience and expertise for the country’s development and create new opportunities,” Kumaraswamy said.
He said Indians working in technology, industry, business and professional sectors in the United States and other countries could make an important contribution to India’s economic development by sharing their knowledge and experience with the country.
Kumaraswamy said the changing global economic environment was creating greater opportunities for new enterprises, innovative ideas and technology-driven businesses. Young entrepreneurs should identify such opportunities and move forward, he said.
Referring to the Union government’s development agenda, Kumaraswamy said India was advancing through initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India to achieve Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. India was making use of available opportunities to strengthen its global position, he said.
Kumaraswamy said he was handling two major portfolios in the Modi Cabinet — Heavy Industries and Steel — and described the two sectors as important pillars of national development, with a strong focus on technology, manufacturing and innovation.
Highlighting measures in the heavy industries sector, he said the ₹10,900-crore PM E-DRIVE scheme was being implemented to promote pollution-free transportation. Electric two-wheelers, trucks and buses were increasingly being seen on Indian roads, he said.
He said a ₹25,938-crore production-linked incentive programme was being implemented to strengthen the automobile sector and promote self-reliance. The government had also taken up an ₹18,100-crore programme for 50 GW of ACC battery capacity, he said.
Kumaraswamy further said a ₹7,280-crore programme had been formulated for the production and development of rare mineral resources, describing it as an important initiative.
Turning to steel, the Union Minister said India was witnessing strong growth in the sector and had set a target of producing 300 million tonnes of steel domestically by 2030.
He said the country was also targeting net-zero carbon emissions in steel production by 2070. To strengthen domestic steel production, a ₹6,322-crore production-linked incentive scheme was being implemented, he added.
Kumaraswamy said India’s position as a major steel producer and consumer reflected the pace of development across sectors and strengthened the country’s case as an investment destination.
Against this backdrop, he said India offered significant opportunities for investors and reiterated his appeal to overseas Indians to channel their expertise, experience and entrepreneurial capabilities towards building enterprises in the country.
Sri Adichunchanagiri Math pontiff Sri Sri Sri Dr Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji was present at the forum. AKKA leader Amarnath Gowda, former MP Kupendra Reddy, AKKA president Madhu Rangaiah and Vishal Harsh, India’s Deputy Consul General in the United States, were among those present.
Entrepreneurs, professionals, technology experts and representatives from various sectors also participated in the forum and discussed business, investment, technology and professional cooperation between India and the United States.
