As geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty reshape global capital flows, investors and policymakers at IGF Mumbai 2026: Catalysing Capital highlighted India’s growing role as a stable and strategic investment destination in an increasingly fragmented global economy.
The third edition of the India Global Forum’s flagship Mumbai gathering brought together leaders from private equity, venture capital, public markets and policy circles. Their focus was to assess how global disruptions including military conflicts in West Asia are affecting energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the challenging global backdrop, participants expressed strong confidence in India’s long-term growth trajectory.
Howard Morgan, Chairman of B Capital, said the current investment momentum reflects more than just an inflow of foreign capital. According to him, global investors are increasingly drawn to the confidence and entrepreneurial momentum emerging within India itself.
Morgan noted that India is gradually evolving beyond its traditional identity as a services hub. He said investors now see the country as capable of becoming a global technology powerhouse that produces both goods and services for international markets as well as its rapidly expanding domestic economy.
Manoj Ladwa, Chairman of IGF, said India’s strategic positioning has become particularly important as global capital recalibrates in response to geopolitical and economic shifts. He highlighted that India has the ability to expand trade, attract international investment and strengthen domestic capabilities while maintaining strategic independence.
Speakers also emphasised the growing importance of domestic capital in reinforcing India’s financial resilience.
Sunjay Sudhir, former Indian Ambassador to the UAE, pointed to the rapidly changing geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. He said the region is experiencing an unprecedented level of tension and transformation that could have far-reaching global consequences.
Meanwhile, Amit Chandra, Chairperson of Bain Capital Private Equity, noted that domestic investors are becoming a major force in India’s financial markets. He said increasing investments through equities and systematic investment plans (SIPs), along with large pools of wealth in assets such as gold, reflect the country’s expanding capital base.
Market leaders also highlighted the increasing maturity of India’s financial ecosystem.
Radhika Gupta, Managing Director and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, pointed to rising participation in mutual funds as a sign of changing investor behaviour. She noted that the industry recorded a 10% increase in February 2026 compared to January, indicating growing retail investor confidence.
Manisha Girotra, CEO of Moelis, said domestic investors are now competing with global capital in major acquisitions something rarely seen in past. This shift, she said, reflects the increasing depth and sophistication of India’s investment landscape.
Startup ecosystem leaders also underscored India’s resilience in global capital markets. Karthik Reddy, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Blume Ventures, said India continues to sustain strong activity in public listings, with international investors maintaining significant allocations to Indian IPOs despite occasional foreign outflows from equity markets.
Taking a long-term view, Vani Kola, Managing Director of Kalaari Capital, said cycles of geopolitical conflict have always been part of the global economic landscape. She emphasised that such disruptions tend to matter less for investors who maintain a long-term perspective on growth markets like India.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical instability and shifting financial flows, discussions at IGF Mumbai 2026 reflected a growing consensus among global investors: India’s economic scale, expanding domestic capital base and strengthening institutions are positioning the country as a key pillar in the next phase of the global investment landscape.
