The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) successfully hosted the inaugural Global Capability Centers (GCC) Summit on July 14, 2025, in New Delhi. Bringing together India’s most influential business leaders, policymakers, and strategic partners, the event underscored India’s growing prominence in the global GCC ecosystem.
A highlight of the summit was the valedictory address by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, reinforcing the government’s vision to make India the world’s GCC powerhouse
A highlight of the summit was the valedictory address by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, reinforcing the government’s vision to make India the world’s GCC powerhouse
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Vision for GCC Growth
Delivering the closing address, Finance Minister Sitharaman underlined the government’s unwavering commitment to:
- Enhancing the ease of doing business
- Accelerating digital infrastructure
- Developing future-ready talent pipelines
She emphasized India’s unique role as a “GCC powerhouse” in the global digital economy, highlighting the country’s strategic position as an innovation and investment hub.
Public-Private Collaboration at the Heart of the Summit
The CII GCC Business Summit 2025 provided a critical platform for:
- Government–industry dialogue to shape policy reforms and investment incentives
- Active participation from senior policymakers, state officials, GCC leaders across sectors, educators, technology providers, and investors
This robust engagement demonstrated the need for ecosystem enablers and cross-sector collaboration to scale GCC operations sustainably.
Focus Areas: Innovation, Talent, and Policy Alignment
Summit sessions explored:
- Emerging sector trends and global opportunities for GCCs expanding in India
- The synergy between Digital India, Make in India, and the rise of next-gen GCCs
- Infrastructure, innovation, and talent development as key success drivers
Speakers stressed that these priorities will fuel India’s continued leadership in the global value chain
Key Policy Announcements and India's Strategic Push
Government representatives and industry leaders shared policy directions aimed at:
- Reinforcing India’s position in the global value chain
- Advancing policy frameworks to attract international investment and boost innovation
- Creating an enabling environment for future-ready talent and cutting-edge research
Inclusive Expansion Beyond Metro Cities
One of the summit’s most important announcements came from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) , which stressed India’s plan to decentralize GCC growth:
- Goal: Expand India’s GCC footprint beyond the top six cities, which currently house 95% of GCCs
- Strategy: Develop models and guidelines to help tier-II and emerging cities attract new investments
This move is designed to foster economic diversification and unlock talent potential across India’s broader geography.
Replicating Best Practices in Tier-II Cities
To support inclusive growth:
- The government will replicate best practices from established GCC hubs to help new centers thrive in smaller cities.
- Focus areas include infrastructure development, digital ecosystem enablement, and skilled talent creation.
Industry Emphasis on Infrastructure and Talent
Industry leaders at the summit highlighted the critical need for:
- Improved urban and digital infrastructure
- Advanced digital talent platforms
- A strong innovation ecosystem to support GCC expansion in new markets
Policy Support for New Entrants
The summit underlined upcoming policy measures, such as:
- Guidelines to replicate proven GCC models
- Talent development initiatives
- Regulatory support to make tier-II cities GCC-friendly destinations
Government-Industry Collaboration
The event showcased India’s commitment to public-private partnerships:
- Incentives and frameworks to drive digital transformation
- Support for international investment in the GCC sector
- Coordination with state governments to ensure local readiness
Alignment with Flagship National Initiatives
Expanding the GCC network is tightly integrated with:
- Digital India: Building advanced digital infrastructure nationwide
- Make in India: Attracting global investment and boosting manufacturing
These efforts position India as a global innovation powerhouse, extending opportunities beyond traditional metro locations.
Why It Matters: Driving Inclusive Growth
By focusing on decentralizing GCC development, India is:
- Unlocking new pools of digital talent in tier-II cities
- Creating wider economic opportunities
- Strengthening its global standing as a preferred destination for GCC investment
Speakers at the CII GCC Business Summit 2025 agreed: the next phase of India’s GCC journey will be defined by inclusivity, collaboration, and nationwide innovation— not just concentrated growth in existing hubs.
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