Seminar: Investing in India Today: A Strategic Market Shaping Global Business Decisions (Baker Mckenzie)

On May 5th 2026, the seminar “Investing in India Today” delivered a strong and timely message to Italian and international businesses alike: India is no longer simply a future opportunity — it is a present-day strategic market increasingly influencing global investment flows, supply chain diversification, and long-term business strategies.

The event was organised by valued ICCI member Baker McKenzie with the support and patronage of ICCI. The seminar brought together companies, advisors, and professionals with direct operational experience in India to discuss the realities, opportunities, and challenges of entering and scaling in one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.

A key contribution came from Marco Bettin, who represented ICCI during the discussion and shared valuable insights into the evolution of the Indian economic landscape. His intervention highlighted both the scale of India’s ongoing transformation and the practical considerations European businesses must evaluate when approaching the market.

The discussion underlined several important trends currently shaping India’s investment environment.

India is increasingly becoming a core pillar of global diversification strategies, with multinational companies repositioning supply chains and manufacturing operations to reduce concentration risks and strengthen resilience. As global businesses reassess sourcing and production models, India is emerging as a strategic alternative with significant long-term potential.

Participants also explored how India’s demographic profile, rapid urbanisation, and expanding skilled workforce continue to support sustained economic growth. The country’s growing middle class, digital transformation, and infrastructure development are creating opportunities across manufacturing, technology, consumer sectors, energy, logistics, and advanced services.

At the same time, the seminar stressed the importance of structured preparation and local execution capability. While India offers considerable potential, businesses must navigate regulatory complexity, layered decision-making processes, and cultural differences that can significantly impact market entry and operational success. Companies that approach India with a long-term strategy and strong local alignment are generally better positioned to scale effectively.

Another important point raised during the discussion concerned the increasing openness of several sectors to foreign investors. Recent policy developments and reforms have created greater operational flexibility for international companies across multiple industries, facilitating more direct investment structures and broader market participation.

A further theme that emerged strongly was the importance of understanding India at the state level. Incentives, industrial policies, infrastructure readiness, and ease of doing business can vary substantially from one state to another, making location strategy a critical factor in project success and investment performance.

The conversation also reinforced how local leadership and talent alignment remain decisive success factors. Building strong local teams and ensuring cultural and operational integration are often key determinants of scalability, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability in the Indian market.

The seminar ultimately reinforced a clear message: India should not be viewed as a peripheral or opportunistic market, but as a strategic business destination that requires commitment, depth, and long-term vision.

The Indian Chamber of Commerce in Italy extends its sincere thanks to all speakers and participants for the high quality of the exchange and for the practical perspectives shared throughout the session.

A very special thanks goes to Baker Mckenzie and Marco Marazzi for the collaboration and for proposing and promoting such an important and successful initiative dedicated to strengthening Italy–India business relations.