Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said Japanese investors that successful entrepreneurs in India do not risk disappearing [1].
The comments highlight India's effort to position itself as a predictable and transparent alternative to China for foreign capital and corporate headquarters.
Speaking in Tokyo on Aug. 25, 2024 [1], Goyal pitched India as a stable destination for Japanese firms. During the address, he referenced the security of business leaders in the country. He said, "You don't have to worry that you will disappear if you become a successful businessman and then land up as a professor at a Japanese university" [2].
While Goyal did not name specific individuals, the remark was widely interpreted as a reference to Alibaba founder Jack Ma, who largely withdrew from public life following disputes with Chinese regulators. The minister said that the Indian environment provides a level of stability not found in all major Asian economies.
Goyal said, "Successful entrepreneurs in India do not have to worry about 'disappearing one day' and reappearing elsewhere" [2].
The pitch comes as India seeks to deepen its strategic and economic ties with Japan. By contrasting its legal and political climate with that of China, the minister aimed to reassure investors that their assets, and personal liberties, are protected under Indian law.
"You won't disappear in India," Goyal said [2].
“"You won't disappear in India."”
This rhetoric signals a shift in India's investment diplomacy, moving from general economic pitches to specific comparisons regarding the rule of law. By referencing the perceived volatility of the Chinese corporate environment, India is attempting to attract risk-averse Japanese firms that are currently diversifying their supply chains away from China.
