Mumbai, Aug 2026: Maharashtra is emerging as a gateway connecting India and the world in the areas of investment, technology and economic development, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday, emphasising the state’s growing potential as a preferred destination for global investors.
Addressing the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce National Conference 2026 at Hotel Lalit in Mumbai, Fadnavis said Maharashtra is developing a comprehensive ecosystem comprising artificial intelligence (AI) research and development, data centres, Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and modern infrastructure to meet the needs of the future.
He invited investors from the United States to bring their ideas, research and technological expertise to Maharashtra and assured them that the state government would provide access to markets, infrastructure and skilled manpower.
“The partnership between India and the United States is among the most important partnerships of the 21st century. The next phase must focus on strengthening strategic and economic cooperation, and Maharashtra will play a central role in this phase,” Fadnavis said.
The conference was organised around the theme “Reshaping the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the United States”, with a focus on strengthening cooperation in investment, research, manufacturing and development between the two countries.
Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra’s economic strength, saying the state has an economy valued at around $660 billion and has recorded an average growth rate of 10.2 per cent over the past seven years. He said around 65 per cent of Maharashtra’s population is below the age of 27, making it one of the country’s most attractive destinations for businesses seeking a young and skilled workforce.
The Chief Minister said Maharashtra’s diversified economy spans sectors ranging from manufacturing to entertainment, while the state is also rapidly expanding its presence in emerging technologies.
He said AI and rapidly evolving technologies are transforming the India-US partnership and creating opportunities for deeper cooperation. According to Fadnavis, the two sides can collaborate in areas such as Global Capability Centres, data centres and strengthening global supply chains.
Highlighting healthcare as another major area of cooperation, he said India has developed considerable capabilities in delivering healthcare at scale, while the US has a strong innovation ecosystem. “India can be the scale engine and America the innovation engine in healthcare,” he said, adding that Maharashtra could play an important role in bringing these strengths together.
Fadnavis also highlighted the Maharashtra Medicity project being developed over 165 acres in the Navi Mumbai region. The project is expected to include a world-class modern hospital ecosystem. At the same time, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are emerging as major centres for digital infrastructure.
He said around 65 per cent of India’s digital infrastructure is located in Maharashtra, creating a strong foundation for the growth of AI-driven companies and other technology businesses.
The Chief Minister said these developments could help India and the US build reliable and resilient global supply chains through greater economic and technological cooperation.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said relations between India and the US were strong and would become increasingly important in addressing future global challenges. He stressed the need for both countries to deepen their economic engagement.
Gor said the US Embassy remained open to everyone and noted the importance of the Mumbai Consulate. He said India and the US were uniquely positioned to contribute to global economic growth through stronger bilateral cooperation.
He also highlighted the importance attached to the relationship by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying their engagement had given fresh momentum to bilateral ties.
The event was attended by several senior dignitaries, including Uttar Pradesh Minister of State Dinesh Pratap Singh, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce National President Anup Acharya, Executive Vice President Prashant Krishnan, Upasana Arora and Avnish Awasthi.
During the conference, Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Investment Adviser Kaustubh Dhavse and Maharashtra Cyber Additional Director General of Police Yashasvi Yadav were felicitated for their notable contributions. Former national and regional office-bearers of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce were also honoured.
A large number of investors and business representatives from India and the United States attended the conference.
