- $4.5 trillion required by 2030 to meet India’s infrastructure demand
- Sustainable infrastructure key for India’s economic trajectory
- UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge outlines key measures to unlock global investment
India should place investors at the heart of its strategy to unlock global funding for its rising infrastructure targets, a UK-India finance group has urged.
The UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB), chaired by the Corporation and National Institution for Transforming India (Niti Aayog), outline in its one-year report key recommendations for India to bridge the gap between global interest and tangible investment actions.
India is fast emerging as the world’s fourth largest economy and is set to be the fastest growing major global economy – with sustainable infrastructure playing a critical role in the nation’s economic trajectory. India’s infrastructure demand is underpinned by rapid urbanisation and a rapidly growing middle class, resulting in substantial infrastructure deficits – and opportunities. This growth requires an estimated $4.5 trillion investment in infrastructure by 2030 – a target that cannot be reached through domestic investment alone.
The UKIIFB is tasked with building collaboration between the UK and India in the development of an international project finance sector to meet the
demand for sustainable infrastructure growth. Within a year, the strategic steering board has consulted on a raft of key projects including national highways and regional rapid transport. These discussions have formed the proposals and recommendations of this report.
Key proposals include:
- Adopt an Investor-Centric Approach: Align with investor priorities of risk, value and returns while addressing outdated perceptions of India’s infrastructure sector.
- Aligning with Global Standards: Focusing on making India’s infrastructure projects more appealing to international investors by adopting globally recognised frameworks and principles.
- Enhancing Transparency and Risk Management: Addressing the critical need to build investor confidence by providing transparent, predictable, and well-managed processes.
- Fostering a Robust Ecosystem: Creating a supportive and competitive environment for infrastructure development through building strategic relationships with local industry.
Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the Corporation, said:
“Led jointly by the Corporation and NITI Aayog, the UKIIFB is playing a vital role in mobilising capital for India’s critical infrastructure. This report makes a powerful case for action, outlining practical steps to make Indian infrastructure projects more attractive to global investors. At its heart, the findings highlight a clear truth: international investors need clarity, confidence, and consistency – and India’s growth ambitions deserve a financing model that matches their scale.”
BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog and Co-Chair of the UKIIFB, said:
“The transformative UK-India Infrastructure Bridge, jointly steered by India’s visionary policy think-tank NITI Aayog and the historic Corporation, is unlocking vast international capital for India’s infrastructure revolution. This landmark partnership draws on India’s unmatched capacity for high-growth, sustainable ventures and aligns it with the UK’s proven skills in project finance and strategic execution. Together, we are crafting a robust framework to accelerate India’s ambitious goals in smart cities, renewable energy, and connectivity. This collaboration fortifies India’s journey towards becoming a global economic powerhouse, ensuring a greener, more inclusive future fuelled by domestic leadership and international cooperation.”
Notes to editors
Read the full report here: https://www.theglobalcity.uk/insights/uk-india-infrastructure-financing-bridge
ABOUT THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION:
The Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR TRANSFORMING INDIA:
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) is the leading policy think tank of the Government of India. NITI Aayog provides technical and policy support for the development of long-term policies and programmes of the Government of India, State Governments and Union Territories. The Governing Council of NITI Aayog is chaired by the Prime Minister. https://niti.gov.in/
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