Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman began a significant multi-nation visit on Monday, travelling to Spain, Portugal, and Brazil to showcase India’s economic resilience and promote investment opportunities.
The official visit will continue until July 5, according to a statement from the Ministry of Finance. She is leading the Indian delegation from the Department of Economic Affairs, representing India in high-level economic dialogues and multilateral engagements.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman to address global forums in Spain
In Seville, Spain, Sitharaman will attend the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) organised by the United Nations. She will deliver India’s national statement at the global forum.
The Finance Minister will also deliver a keynote speech at the International Business Forum Leadership Summit, focused on unlocking private capital for sustainable development.
The event, themed ‘From FFD4 Outcome to Implementation’, aims to foster partnerships for financing global development goals.
On the sidelines of the Spain visit, Sitharaman will hold meetings with top officials, including senior ministers from Germany, Peru, and New Zealand, as well as European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño.
Bilateral talks and diaspora engagement in Portugal
During her stop in Lisbon, Portugal, Finance Minister Sitharaman is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Portuguese Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento.
She will also interact with leading investors and engage with the Indian diaspora, strengthening economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
High-level BRICS engagements in Brazil
In Brazil, Sitharaman will attend the 10th Annual Meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) in Rio de Janeiro as India’s Governor on the NDB Board. She will also represent India at the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.
She will deliver a key address at the NDB Flagship Governors’ Seminar, themed ‘Building a Premier Multilateral Development Bank for the Global South’, highlighting India’s commitment to inclusive global financial institutions.
Sitharaman will also conduct bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Brazil, China, Indonesia, and Russia during the Brazil leg of the tour.
S&P Global Ratings has projected that India’s GDP will grow by 6.5% in FY26, citing strong domestic demand, a normal monsoon, lower crude oil prices, and likely monetary easing as key drivers of this robust economic growth.
S&P said India’s strong domestic demand and low reliance on goods exports will help it avoid a global slowdown.
“We see India’s GDP growth holding up at 6.5 per cent in fiscal 2026 (year ending March 31, 2026),” the report stated.
Also Read: India To Remain Fastest-Growing Economy; May Perform Even Better: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
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