New Delhi, 1 July (H.S.): Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India’s reforms and investment opportunities at the FFD4 summit in Seville, Spain. During her official tour to Spain, Portugal, and Brazil, she advocated for mobilizing private capital for sustainable development. The theme of the summit focused on harnessing private capital's potential for sustainable development. Sitharaman met with Germany's Economic Cooperation and Development Minister, Jem Alabali-Radovan, discussing mutual cooperation under the India-Germany Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, addressing areas like green energy and sustainable urban development. Alabali-Radovan expressed a desire to strengthen bilateral relations through collaboration in fintech, trade, investment, and infrastructure, particularly railways.

Sitharaman also met Peru's Foreign Minister, Elmer Schialer Salsedo, where she showcased India's expertise in rail connectivity and manufacturing. Salsedo expressed interest in India's participation in rail connection projects in Peru and acknowledged the importance of critical minerals like copper and lithium for India's energy transition. Furthermore, she met with New Zealand's Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Dr. Shane Reti MP. They discussed defense, education, technology, and agriculture cooperation, emphasizing shared democratic values. Sitharaman outlined opportunities in the GIFT-IFSC related to banking and fintech, and highlighted the significance of educational exchanges between India and New Zealand, with many Indian students studying in New Zealand. Reti agreed on enhancing bilateral relations in education and shared New Zealand's engagement experience with the Pacific region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar