FM Sitharaman holds series of high-level meetings with banking, market and defence leaders
New Delhi, June 22
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday held a series of high-level meetings with key representatives from the financial, payments, commodity markets and defence sectors, reflecting the government's continued engagement with stakeholders across critical segments of the economy and national institutions.
Neelkanth Mishra, Executive Director at the World Bank, called on the Finance Minister to discuss issues of mutual interest, the finance minister said on social media platform X.
The meeting comes at a time when India continues to engage closely with multilateral institutions on economic growth, development financing and global economic challenges.
In another meeting, Dilip Asbe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), met the Finance Minister.
The interaction is seen as significant given India's rapid expansion in digital payments and the growing global recognition of the country's payment infrastructure.
The Finance Minister also met a delegation from the Commodity & Capital Market Participants Association of India (CPAI). The discussions are understood to have focused on issues concerning commodity and capital markets and the broader financial ecosystem.
Separately, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, called on FM Sitharaman.
The meeting highlighted the continued coordination between the finance and defence establishments on matters concerning national priorities.
Meanwhile, last week, the finance minister inaugurated the Jowai-Nartiang-Kdiap-Khanduli (JNKK) Road in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district and interacted with students, sportspersons and local residents, highlighting the Centre's commitment to strengthening infrastructure and creating opportunities for youth in the Northeast.
According to the official statement, the road project, built with funding support from the New Development Bank at an estimated cost of more than Rs 59 crore, was inaugurated at a function held at the Wahiajer Football Stadium.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Meeting with Naval Chief shows the government's holistic approach. National security and economy go hand in hand. The development focus on Northeast is also commendable. But we need more transparency on what exactly was discussed in these closed-door meetings. Just saying 'issues of mutual interest' is too vague.
Impressive agenda for a single day! World Bank, NPCI, commodity markets, and defence – quite a range. The road project in Meghalaya is a smart move to boost connectivity and local economy. Hope the government maintains this multi-sectoral focus consistently.
Honestly, these meetings look good on paper but what about ordinary Indians? The road in Meghalaya is fine, but we need more jobs, better healthcare, and lower prices of essential goods. Hope the FM also remembers the common citizen amidst all these high-profile meetings.
The NPCI meeting is particularly interesting. India's digital payment revolution is truly a global model. The CPAI delegation discussion on capital markets signals focus on investor confidence. Good to see the government engaging with multiple stakeholders simultaneously. More of this please! 🇮🇳
I appreciate the government's efforts, especially the road project in Northeast. But let's be honest – many such projects get delayed or run over budget. Also, 59 crore for one road seems steep. Need to ensure proper monitoring and completion on time. Sustained development in the region is crucial for national integration.
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