New Delhi, Feb 27 (KNN) India’s states are setting new benchmarks in investment commitments, with Madhya Pradesh concluding its two-day Global Investors’ Summit on Tuesday, securing pledges worth Rs 26.61 lakh crore—twice the size of the state’s GDP.
This follows Odisha’s Utkarsh Odisha Conclave in late January, which attracted commitments of Rs 12.89 lakh crore, 1.4 times its economy’s size.
In just two months of 2025, six states—Karnataka, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, along with Madhya Pradesh and Odisha—have collectively garnered investment proposals totaling Rs 60.5 lakh crore.
Adding Rajasthan and Bihar’s December 2024 events, the tally surpasses Rs 97 lakh crore in three months.
These investor summits, a staple since economic liberalisation, have now grown significantly in scale and ambition. The latest editions emphasize frontier manufacturing sectors such as solar modules, wind turbines, hydrogen electrolysers, lithium-ion storage, and semiconductor wafers.
The startup ecosystem is also receiving a major push, alongside easier regulatory approvals and skilled manpower availability.
Competition among states is intensifying, with traditionally service-driven economies now vying for manufacturing investments. This aligns with India’s broader vision of integrating into global supply chains.
However, while large investment promises are common—Uttar Pradesh secured Rs 33.5 trillion in February 2024—only a fraction typically materializes.
Madhya Pradesh’s summit alone could generate 1.73 million jobs, with NTPC and Adani Group committing Rs 2 lakh crore and Rs 1.1 lakh crore, respectively.
Odisha’s investments span mineral industries, renewable energy, IT, and food processing. Karnataka secured Rs 10.27 lakh crore, with projects ranging from solar to steel manufacturing.
With upcoming summits in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, and major deals signed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, India’s investment drive aligns with its $30-35 trillion economic vision for 2047, reinforcing growth, job creation, and industrial expansion.
(KNN Bureau)
