Right time to invest in the fastest-growing economy: Vice President Radhakrishnan at CII Partnership Summit
This is the right time to invest in India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, Mr C P Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Vice President of India, said, highlighting the pan-India wave of conducive reforms across all sectors announced by the government. The Vice President was speaking today at the inaugural session of the 30th edition of the CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, themed ‘Technology, Trust, and Trade – Navigating the New Geoeconomic Order’. He noted that India’s ease of doing business is set to become one of the best globally, driven by ongoing reforms in labour, taxation, and infrastructure.
Elaborating on India’s strengths, Vice President Radhakrishnan said that India has emerged as a knowledge-driven economy by seamlessly integrating technology with commerce. Highlighting the country’s rapid ascent, he noted that India is already the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem and is on track to become the third-largest economy. Citing the booming energy sector, he said that India is poised to become a global hub for clean technology exports, while emphasising the importance of balancing growth with environmental sustainability.
Echoing the growth momentum Mr Piyush Goyal, Minister for Commerce and Industry, Government of India, said India’s rise will benefit the world, and the journey towards a Viksit Bharat will be driven by three pillars of technology, trust through righteousness, and trade through capability. Delivering the special address on the occasion, Minister Goyal added that as India positions itself as a consistent and principled partner, trust is reinforced through righteousness, practicing “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” .
India’s trade last year tells a remarkable story, with exports crossing USD 825 billion despite global headwinds, and rising FDI flows a testament to investors’ trust in India. India is advancing FTAs with the UK, the EFTA bloc, bringing USD 100 billion in FDI and 1 million direct jobs, he said. Predictability is ensured through sustained reforms, including the removal of 42,000 compliances while the next-generation GST reforms, would enhance ease of doing business, giving rise to consumer spending.
In technology, the scale and speed, and a deep pool of talent and skill, is reflected in Digital Public Infrastructure serving 1.4 billion Indians; UPI accounting for half of global digital payments; Aadhaar as a national digital ID; a growing semiconductor ecosystem with USD 30 billion in investment, rapid advances in AI and 500 GW of installed power capacity with 250 GW from renewable sources.
Mr Syed Abdul Nazeer, Hon’ble Governor of Andhra Pradesh, said that Make-in-India has been a pivotal step to facilitate investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development, protect intellectual property, and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure, making India the focus of global attention. Talking about Andhra Pradesh, he said that the State has set its sights on becoming a future-ready, innovation-driven State. “From IT and advanced manufacturing to quantum technologies and green hydrogen, Andhra Pradesh is emerging as a trusted partner in India’s growth story and a key player in the global transition to a sustainable future,” the Governor added.
Adding to how the state of Andhra Pradesh is shaping up as an attractive investment destination, Mr N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, urged investors to come, do business, and contribute to the economy. From deep technologies, data centres, and Artificial Intelligence to agriculture, horticulture, rare-earth minerals, and tourism, the Chief Minister said that the State Government is bullish about business flourishing in the State through real-time clearances and incentives such as an escrow account and a sovereign guarantee. He further added that with zero poverty, water security, technology-driven agriculture, an integrated global logistics hub, and optimized energy and fuel systems, along with a clean, green, circular economy and strong skilling and HRD, Andhra Pradesh stands as an ideal destination for investment.
Andhra Pradesh is advancing rapidly across multiple fronts: it has a large presence of Indians in global jobs, with one in every four professionals hailing from the State; it is developing Space City, Drone City, Electronics City, robotics clusters, defence corridors, Quantum Valley, and will host India’s first quantum computer. The State is also emerging as a major green-energy powerhouse, contributing 160 GW to India’s 500 GW target through solar, wind, storage, and battery capabilities, supported by excellent ports and strong potential for green hydrogen and green ammonia production.
Several examples of how India is growing were shared by the representing ministers from the Union government. The momentum Mr Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Minister Civil Aviation, Government of India, said Andhra Pradesh is India’s innovation frontier; a gateway to growth in speed and in spirit. Cyberabad, Amravati, and Uttar Andhra are testimony to this. India is the third-largest domestic aviation market, opening a new airport every 50 days. Andhra is creating a logistics and aviation hub, expanding Drone City, enabling new inventions, and positioning itself as the sunrise state.
“Investing in India offers the opportunity to tap into the world’s fastest-growing middle class, which is set to reshape the world. The 21st century belongs to Asia, powered by India’s rise. Andhra Pradesh is a state where sectoral strengths converge, and the State is eager for investments.”, mentioned Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State, Rural Development & Communications, Government of India.
“India is on track to becoming the third-largest economy. The Government of India is committed to Andhra Pradesh’s growth and recognises the State as a key growth engine, since AP offers a business-friendly ecosystem, ease of doing business, infrastructure development, and skill development”, said Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, Government of India.
“Speed is the mission driving the State Government’s efforts to foster the growth of businesses withswift permissions and approvals. In the Government, we strive to outpace the speed of the companies themselves”, said Mr Nara Lokesh, Minister for Human Resources Development; IT Electronics & Communication; RTG, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
“The State Government is here to reaffirm that we will continue to provide support to businesses, entrepreneurs, and to the youth and secure a place of pride for them on the map of India”, Mr Nadendla Manohar, Minister of Civil Supplies, Food & Consumer Affairs, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
“I say this with absolute confidence that Andhra Pradesh is ready to execute if you are ready to invest. We already possess a long and strategically vital coastline, three world-class industrial corridors, well-developed industrial parks. We have the capability, the talent and the leadership to deliver outcomes at speed and at scale”, said Mr T G Bharath, Minister of Industries & Commerce and & Food Processing, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
G M Rao, Group Chairman, GMR Group, said CM Naidu championed India’s first greenfield airport in Hyderabad, which became an economic catalyst and transformed Hyderabad into a global IT hub. That vision did not just build an airport; it built an economic ecosystem. He said that history is now repeating itself with Vizag set to become the economic capital of the east.
Sanjiv Bajaj, Past President, CII and CMD, Bajaj Finserv Ltd, said that Andhra Pradesh is a strategic growth engine for India with its nearly 1,000 km coastline, robust infrastructure, and proactive governance. It has emerged as a gateway for trade, technology, and digital and tech innovation, and underlined the need to empower and skill the youth.
Shobana Kamineni, Promotor Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited & Executive Chairperson, Apollo Health Co. Ltd, noted that the State has made remarkable strides in healthcare with its focus on improving healthcare indicators, expanding medical education, and leveraging tech for rural outreach. “Initiatives like DR NTR Vaidya Seva and telemedicine programs have brought quality care closer to communities. As we look ahead, the demand for advanced healthcare, infrastructure, and specialised services is only going to grow,” she added.
Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman & Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge Ltd, said that Andhra Pradesh is going to drive key industrial sectors that will drive manufacturing in India, including shipbuilding. “Vizag has a tremendous ecosystem and a deep knowledge base in shipbuilding. This is a key enabler to create a large new shipbuilding complex, which will be a growth driver for the Indian industry,” he said.
Sudarshan Venu, CMD, TVS Motor Company, said that India is well on its way to realise the ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, powered by manufacturing, services, and access to many new markets under the many free trade deals. “In this vision, Andhra Pradesh has a very special part to play. With its strategic location, Andhra is one of the most attractive investment destinations in India today, supported by a dynamic vision and strong governance,” Mr Venu said.
Yusuf Ali, CMD, Lulu Group International, said that Andhra Pradesh is boldly reshaping its future with visionary projects that promise to create thousands of jobs and drive economic growth. He said that the State has a major role to play in India's journey to becoming a global economic powerhouse.
Karan Adani, Managing Director, Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd (APSEZ), said that while Andhra Pradesh is the eastern gateway of India to the world, geography alone does not create history; vision does. He credited CM Naidu’svision and execution for transforming Hyderabad into a global symbol of Indian intellect and innovation three decades ago. He noted that the State Government’s focus on speed of doing business, skilling, digital infrastructure, and new age industries is turning Andhra Pradesh into the fastest-moving startup State.
Rajiv Memani, President, CII said, “India is the fastest-growing economy, not only relying on traditional sectors but also fully promoting emerging ones. Growth in sectors including semiconductors, defence, energy transition, and services, with two new GCC centres established, reflects confidence in India, its people, and its technology. India’s AI trajectory is exemplary, a domain in which the Government, startups, and the entire ecosystem remain bullish, alongside data centres. The investor-friendly policy of Andhra Pradesh is highly encouraging for the Industry.”
Dr Suchitra K Ella, Vice President, CII, said that India’s path to becoming a developed nation is anchored in self-sustaining growth driven by two powerful pillars – energy and manufacturing. She noted that ‘Aatmanirbharta’ is not about isolation, but partnership, innovation, and shared growth. India stands ready to work with the world to co-create solutions, strengthen value chains, and build a resilient global future, where prosperity is shared and sustainable, she added.
Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII encouraged participants to put forward ideas that can benefit India and the world and urged companies to engage and explore opportunities and foster meaningful partnerships and collaborations.
The Partnership Summit is being jointly hosted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and the Confederation of Indian Industry. The event features seven key thematic tracks and over 2,500 participating delegates from 45 countries.
14 November 2025
Visakhapatnam