India's Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, today delivered a compelling address at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, Spain, strongly advocating for greater private capital mobilization to achieve sustainable development goals, particularly in low and middle-income countries.She used India's own economic reform journey as a prime example of successful strategies to attract investment and foster growth.

During her visit, which also includes stops in Portugal and Brazil, Minister Sitharaman highlighted that despite some encouraging trends in private investment globally, a significant gap remains, with developing nations receiving a disproportionately small share.This disparity, she stressed, necessitates targeted efforts to dismantle investment barriers and better align financial flows with urgent development priorities.

Sitharaman detailed the proactive steps India has taken to address these challenges. She pointed to the establishment of independent regulators, the implementation of transparent bidding processes, the standardization of contracts, and significant improvements in the ease of doing business. These reforms, she asserted, have substantially boosted investor confidence and reduced transaction costs within the Indian economy.

A standout example presented by the Finance Minister was India's remarkable transformation in the renewable energy sector.From a mere 2.8 GW of solar energy installed in 2014, India has surged to over 110 GW today. This exponential growth, Sitharaman explained, was facilitated by clear national targets, streamlined procurement processes, and government-backed risk mitigation mechanisms. This model, she noted, has successfully attracted institutional investors, including pension and sovereign wealth funds, showcasing India's capacity to create scalable and attractive investment opportunities.

Beyond the FFD4 plenary, Minister Sitharaman engaged in a series of crucial bilateral meetings. She met with Shane Reti, New Zealand's Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, discussing cooperation in diverse sectors such as defense, education, technology, and agriculture.The discussions reaffirmed the shared democratic values and robust people-to-people ties between the two nations.Sitharaman also promoted India's burgeoning International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City, highlighting investment avenues in banking, bullion exchange, capital markets, FinTech, insurance, and reinsurance.

Further bilateral talks included a meeting with Reem Alabali-Radovan, Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development.Sitharaman congratulated Minister Alabali-Radovan on her new role and engaged in discussions on cooperation under the India-Germany Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, exploring collaboration in green energy, urban mobility, and sustainable urban development.

Sitharaman's strong pitch for India's economic reforms and investment opportunities at a global forum like FFD4 underscores the nation's growing confidence on the international stage.Her emphasis on transparent regulatory frameworks, ease of doing business, and successful sector-specific models like renewable energy aims to position India as a premier destination for global capital seeking sustainable and high-growth opportunities. As India continues its journey towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, such international engagements are crucial in attracting the necessary private investment to achieve its ambitious development goals.