Global Interest in India Peaks as Tata Steel CEO Stresses Competitiveness

Global interest in India has reached unprecedented levels, but the country must strengthen its competitiveness to fully capture the opportunity, according to Tata Steel CEO and MD T V Narendran. Speaking at the Platinum Jubilee National Management Convention 2026 of the All India Management Association (AIMA), Narendran said India is increasingly attracting global attention as a major market, manufacturing hub, technology and talent base, and strategic partner. He highlighted that global supply chains are shifting from a pure focus on efficiency toward resilience. Businesses are now evaluating supply security, technology control, skilled talent, energy costs and the impact of rising trade barriers. For India’s manufacturing sector, Narendran stressed that competitiveness will depend on cost, quality, logistics, infrastructure and the ability to deliver at scale. While free trade agreements can improve market access, sustainable growth will require stronger domestic execution. He also emphasised the need for India to move beyond product assembly toward designing, engineering and developing proprietary technology and intellectual property. Building technical capabilities could help Indian manufacturers strengthen their position in global value chains.