Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Embarks on Official Visit to UK and Austria for Economic, Investment Talks

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is set to embark on an official visit to the United Kingdom and Austria from April 8 to 13, 2025. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties in economic and financial cooperation, promote investment, and foster policy collaboration.

The highlight of the visit will be Smt. Sitharaman’s participation in the 13th India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) in London on April 9. The dialogue will be co-chaired by the Finance Minister and the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, serving as a vital platform for high-level discussions between the two nations on a broad spectrum of financial matters.

Key focus areas at the 13th EFD include:

• Investment collaboration and promotion of GIFT City (IFSC)
• Enhancing cooperation in fintech and digital finance
• Climate finance and sustainable investment
• Insurance and pension sector development
• Financial services and regulatory alignment
• Progress on UPI interlinkages, tax matters, and tackling illicit financial flows

In addition to the ministerial-level dialogue, Smt. Sitharaman will engage with leading global investors, financial institutions, and policy think tanks in the UK. She is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the India-UK Investor Roundtable, co-hosted alongside Rt. Hon. Jonathan Reynolds, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade. The roundtable will feature top executives from UK-based pension funds, insurance companies, and financial service firms.

During the Austria leg of the visit, the Finance Minister will hold bilateral meetings with senior Austrian leaders including:

• Mr. Markus Marterbauer, Finance Minister of Austria
• H.E. Mr. Christian Stocker, Federal Chancellor of Austria

She will also co-chair a session with Mr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austrian Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism, engaging with leading Austrian CEOs to explore investment opportunities and expand economic collaboration.

This strategic visit is expected to deepen India’s global financial partnerships and enhance investor confidence in India’s rapidly growing economy. It underscores the Government’s continued push to position India as a global hub for financial innovation, sustainable investment, and inclusive growth.