Finance Minister highlights India’s talent pool, advanced manufacturing capabilities and local supply chains during meeting with 3M Chairman William Brown.
Union Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman has called on 3M to deepen its investments in India with a particular focus on research and development, advanced manufacturing and local supply chains. Sitharaman made the pitch during a meeting with 3M Chairman and CEO William Brown on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Asheville, North Carolina.
The discussion formed part of the government’s broader efforts to position India as a destination for manufacturing, technology, and innovation. The Finance Ministry said that the talks examined ways for the US-based multinational to expand its engagement with India beyond the country’s role as a major consumer market.
India’s talent pool in focus.
A key part of the discussion was India’s skilled workforce and its potential role in supporting technology development. Sitharaman pointed to the country’s talent base and manufacturing capabilities as factors that could support greater localisation and innovation. The minister also highlighted opportunities for 3M to develop products and technologies in India that could serve both domestic customers and international markets. The meeting also discussed greater integration with regional and global supply chains.
3M Chairman William Brown, according to the Finance Ministry, acknowledged India’s large talent pool and the opportunities available for technology development and local markets. He also recognised government support for businesses through broader economic and structural reforms.
Push for stronger local supply chains.
Sitharaman’s discussions with 3M come amid India’s continuing push to expand domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported components in strategic areas. The Finance Minister specifically encouraged the company to strengthen localisation, research and development, advanced manufacturing capabilities and local supply-chain networks.
The emphasis reflects a wider policy effort to make India part of global production networks rather than limiting investment to sales and distribution. The meeting also covered data security and ways to better use India’s talent within domestic enterprise ecosystems.
For India, attracting investment in R&D and high-value manufacturing is increasingly important as the country seeks to strengthen its position in global supply chains. For companies such as 3M, India offers a combination of a large domestic market, an established industrial base and a sizeable pool of technical talent.
The outcome of such discussions will ultimately depend on investment decisions and the expansion of local capabilities. For now, the meeting signals the government’s continued focus on linking foreign investment with manufacturing, innovation and technology development in India.
