Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a series of bilateral meetings with senior economic policymakers on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Asheville, North Carolina. Her discussions with the United States and Qatar focused on global economic developments, India’s growth performance, bilateral cooperation and the challenges facing the international economy.
The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting is being held under the United States presidency and has placed economic growth, global imbalances, financial stability, debt and reforms to the international financial system among its key areas of discussion. Sitharaman is leading the Indian delegation at the meeting.
During her meeting with Qatar Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, the Qatari minister appreciated India’s strong and resilient economic growth despite continuing uncertainty in the global economy. The two sides also discussed ways to expand India Qatar economic cooperation in several areas, including trade, investment, finance, energy, infrastructure, shipping, ports, logistics and advanced manufacturing.
Al Kuwari also invited Sitharaman to attend the 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which is scheduled to be held in Doha later this month. The invitation provides another opportunity for India and Qatar to continue discussions on economic and financial cooperation.
The meeting comes at a time when India is seeking to deepen economic relationships with important global partners. Qatar is an important economic and energy partner for India, and both countries have been working to expand cooperation beyond traditional sectors.
Sitharaman also held a bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. She described the discussion as positive and constructive. The meeting took place as the United States, which holds the G20 presidency, seeks to place stronger emphasis on global economic growth and addressing international economic imbalances.
According to Sitharaman, India broadly supports the priorities being highlighted by the US G20 presidency. She said economic growth should remain a central issue for the G20 financial track and that global imbalances need to be addressed through open and constructive discussions.
Financial literacy is another issue being emphasised by the United States during its G20 presidency. Sitharaman said India also supports greater attention to financial literacy and described it as an important area for cooperation.
India’s economic performance was an important backdrop to the discussions. Sitharaman said India recorded economic growth of 7.8 percent in the first quarter of the 2026 to 2027 financial year. She also pointed to strong performance in manufacturing and financial and professional services. According to figures cited by the Finance Minister, manufacturing grew by 9.2 percent, while financial and professional services expanded by 12.1 percent during the quarter.
The Finance Minister attributed the resilience of the Indian economy to the contribution of citizens, reforms and the expansion of digital infrastructure. She highlighted the role of digital systems such as UPI, NPCI and QR based payments in helping small and medium businesses gain access to wider markets.
Sitharaman has also argued that India has demonstrated the ability to adjust to changes in the global economic environment without allowing external challenges to derail its growth. At the G20 meeting, she emphasised the importance of maintaining economic resilience while responding to international developments.
The global economic environment remains challenging. Finance ministers at the Asheville meeting discussed rising debt burdens, trade imbalances, financial stability and the need to encourage sustainable economic growth. Global markets have also been affected by geopolitical tensions, trade disputes and uncertainty surrounding international economic policies.
Against this background, India’s reported growth performance has attracted attention from international economic partners. The positive comments from Qatar and the broader discussions with the United States provide an opportunity for India to present its economic position and seek deeper cooperation.
The Qatar meeting also covered several sectors that could support future bilateral investment. These include infrastructure, energy, shipping and logistics, advanced manufacturing and financial services. Greater cooperation in these areas could contribute to stronger trade and investment links between the two countries.
The US India economic relationship was another important component of Sitharaman’s G20 engagements. India and the United States are discussing cooperation in areas including investment, critical minerals, supply chain resilience and financial relations. Sitharaman has also invited Bessent to visit New Delhi later this year for the India US Economic and Financial Partnership meeting.
The Finance Minister’s meetings were not limited to the United States and Qatar. She also held discussions with finance officials from Poland, South Korea and Russia during the G20 gathering. Sitharaman said the meetings were conducted on a positive note and that several further bilateral economic engagements are being planned.
Her meeting with South Korea included discussions on financial cooperation, critical minerals, resilient supply chains and investment. Discussions with Russia covered bilateral cooperation, global economic developments and multilateral institutions, including the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
The series of bilateral meetings reflects India’s effort to use the G20 platform to strengthen economic partnerships while participating in discussions on major global financial issues. The meetings also provide opportunities to explain India’s economic priorities and explore new areas for investment and trade.
For Qatar, India’s growth represents an opportunity to expand economic engagement with one of the world’s major emerging economies. For India, stronger relations with Qatar can support cooperation in energy, infrastructure, logistics, investment and financial services.
The discussions with the United States are equally important because Washington is currently leading the G20 finance track. India’s support for the US focus on economic growth and global imbalances indicates areas of common ground between the two countries, even as both sides continue to discuss specific economic and trade issues.
The G20 meeting is also addressing wider questions about global debt and financial stability. Finance ministers are looking at ways to promote growth while managing debt pressures and responding to disruptions in international trade and supply chains. The United States has argued that stronger economic growth can help countries deal with growing debt burdens.
India has sought to position itself as a stable and attractive destination for investment during these discussions. Sitharaman has highlighted the country's manufacturing capabilities, digital infrastructure, skilled workforce and large domestic market while engaging with international investors and policymakers.
The Finance Minister’s remarks also emphasise that India continues to face challenges, including dependence on imported crude oil and fertilisers. However, she has said that the country is capable of adjusting to external changes while protecting its economic growth.
The positive assessment from Qatar and the constructive discussions with the United States therefore come at an important time for India’s economic diplomacy. The G20 platform allows New Delhi to engage directly with major economies and financial institutions while presenting its growth performance and policy priorities.
The meetings do not represent formal endorsements of all aspects of India’s economic policy. However, the comments from Qatar’s Finance Minister and the constructive nature of the US India discussions indicate continued interest in expanding economic engagement with India.
Sitharaman’s participation in the Asheville meeting is expected to be followed by further bilateral discussions and investment engagements during her wider US visit. Her meetings with international policymakers and business representatives are part of India’s broader effort to attract investment, strengthen economic partnerships and support long term growth.
Overall, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting has provided India with an important platform to discuss its economic performance and global financial priorities. Qatar’s appreciation of India’s resilient growth and the positive discussions between Sitharaman and the US Treasury Secretary highlight the growing importance of India in international economic discussions.