India emerges as major investment destination with young, talented workforce: Singapore biz leaders

India has emerged as a major investment destination with its young and talented workforce, and the rapidly growing economy offers a wide range of opportunities, said experts at a Singapore-India business forum here.

The Singapore-India Network for Growth Forum 2026, which was attended by around 300 Singapore-based investors, was addressed by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday.

Both the chief ministers have come here with separate business delegations, seeking collaborations and offering investment opportunities in their respective states.

"It was fantastic to see the two CMs present business opportunities to investors in their respective states," said R Narayanamohan, former chairman of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), after the presentations given by the two chief ministers at the forum.

Narayanamohan, who is the founder and consultant of NS Global Consultants Pte Ltd, said the two CMs and their delegations complimented each other in presenting business opportunities and focused on working with Indian businesses out of Singapore.

"India offers large-scale projects for long-term investments," said the Singapore-based chartered accountant, citing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) as an example, which are becoming impossible to set up in any other country due to shortages of space and talented manpower.

"India is a shining beacon of hope for Singapore companies to expand to and scale up businesses and operations in a growing market," added Anand Govindaluri, founder and CEO of GOVIN Capital Singapore.

The Monday's forum was organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF).

According to Govindaluri, "Forums like this will actually help Singaporean investors and companies get into the Indian market in a much more seamless and smooth manner", given the bilateral trade and investment-focused approach taken by the Indian and Singapore governments.

"It is very good to see that now states are reaching out to investors directly and there is healthy competition amongst the state administrations to win investors," noted Sumit Nanda, a business consultant who runs Golden State Capital out of Delhi, Gurugram and Singapore with focus on data centres, real estate and lifestyle businesses.

"Investors believe in India," added Nanda.

Commenting on the presentations by the two CMs, he said, "It is not just about India's growth story but pitching for opportunities in India."

SBF Chairman Mark Lee said: "I continue to believe in India because of its scale, its entrepreneurial energy and the breadth of opportunity across its states and industries."

"That does not mean every opportunity is easy or right for every company. It means that businesses willing to listen, choose their partners carefully and build patiently can find room to grow in a market of this depth," Lee said, advising investors on the Indian market.

Commenting on incentives and ease of doing business in Haryana and Chhattisgarh as presented by the two CMs at the forum, Chinnu Palanivelu, Chairman of the Singapore South Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "Investors in Singapore are getting to know opportunities and understand pro-business policies of these states.

"We are learning more about prosperity in these states that needs to be developed through structured investment opportunities," he said.