The North News
New Delhi, April 7
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will begin a six-day official visit to the United Kingdom and Austria from April 8, seeking to bolster financial, trade, and investment ties with two of Europe’s key economies. The trip will feature high-level bilateral engagements and culminate in the 13th India–UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) in London on April 9, which Sitharaman will co-chair with UK Chancellor of the Exchequer. The talks are expected to cover a broad range of financial matters — from fintech and sustainable finance to investment flows and regulatory collaboration.
Described by officials as a “significant platform,” the EFD enables policy-level coordination between financial authorities, regulators, and investors from both nations. India’s priorities include advancing cooperation in areas such as the IFSC GIFT City, pensions and insurance reforms, digital finance, and green investments. Notably, new initiatives and co-authored reports are likely to be unveiled during the session.
While in the UK, Sitharaman will deliver the keynote address at the India-UK Investor Roundtable. Organised in collaboration with the City of London, the roundtable will see participation from senior management of major UK financial institutions, including pension funds, insurers, and banks. She will be joined by Jonathan Reynolds, the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
The Finance Minister will also participate in bilateral meetings with prominent financial institutions and engage with global investors and think tanks during her stay.
Sitharaman’s visit to Austria will include a bilateral meeting with Austrian Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer and the country’s Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker. She will also co-chair a CEO roundtable with Austrian Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer to explore future investment opportunities in India.
The visit comes at a time when India is actively seeking to globalise its financial systems and secure international partnerships for climate finance, digital economy growth, and fintech innovation.
