Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India aims to attract $100 billion in investment from European Free Trade Association nations over 15 years [1].
This initiative represents a strategic shift to diversify foreign direct investment and integrate Indian labor markets with European capital. By leveraging the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), India seeks to stabilize long-term growth and modernize industrial sectors through high-value partnerships.
The investment goals are tied to a specific employment target. Modi said the agreement is expected to create one million jobs [1] within the 15-year timeframe [1]. This workforce expansion is intended to occur alongside the influx of capital from EFTA member states.
The TEPA framework is designed to deepen economic ties between the two regions. Modi said the agreement will boost investments, and foster talent development and mobility [1]. This approach focuses on creating a sustainable pipeline of skilled labor and technical exchange.
The $100 billion target [1] marks one of the most ambitious investment goals India has set with a specific regional bloc. The strategy relies on the ability of EFTA nations to provide the necessary funding and technology to meet these benchmarks over the next 15 years.
Officials said the goal is to create a mutually beneficial economic ecosystem. The agreement intends to remove trade barriers and streamline the process for European firms to establish operations within India, thereby facilitating the projected job growth [1].
“India aims to attract $100 billion in investment”
The India-EFTA deal signals a move toward strategic autonomy in trade, reducing reliance on any single global superpower by strengthening ties with smaller, high-wealth European economies. If the $100 billion investment target is met, it could accelerate India's transition into a global manufacturing hub while providing EFTA nations with unprecedented access to one of the world's fastest-growing consumer markets.
