India Investment Opportunities 2026: BRICS, Deep Tech & Manufacturing

India is becoming an increasingly important destination for international businesses, technology companies and manufacturers as global supply chains continue to evolve. The country’s 2026 BRICS chairship, growing deep-tech ecosystem, expanding industrial infrastructure and stronger trade relationships with Europe and Russia are creating new opportunities for companies looking to diversify their operations.

The shift goes beyond political headlines. Businesses are increasingly evaluating India for engineering, manufacturing, technology development, services and access to a large domestic market. At the same time, companies must consider regulatory requirements, currency risks, geopolitical uncertainty and the practical challenges of operating across different markets.

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India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship and the Global Business Landscape

India assumed the BRICS chairship in January 2026 and is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026. India’s chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The agenda places strong emphasis on economic cooperation, innovation, sustainability and the interests of emerging economies.

The expanded BRICS grouping now includes 11 countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Together, these countries represent approximately 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade, according to the Government of India.

For businesses, the significance of BRICS is not simply about the size of the bloc. Greater cooperation in areas such as trade, transport, technology, finance and supply-chain resilience could create additional opportunities for companies operating across emerging markets.

India has also hosted numerous BRICS meetings and working groups throughout 2026, creating opportunities for governments and businesses to discuss practical areas of cooperation.

Engineering and Deep-Tech Innovation Take the Spotlight

India’s growing technology capabilities are another important part of the country’s changing investment profile.

One example is Bharat Innovates 2026, whose first global showcase was held in Nice, France, from June 14–16, 2026, under the India-France Year of Innovation. The event brought together 120 curated deep-tech innovators and 45 research and innovation projects from 15 leading higher-education institutions. It also recorded more than 1,350 business-to-business matchmaking meetings and more than 80 startup pitches to over 50 investors. Bharat Innovates reported approximately US$254 million in announced funding commitments.

These figures illustrate an important shift in how India’s technology ecosystem is being presented internationally. The opportunity is no longer limited to software services or IT outsourcing. Indian startups and research institutions are increasingly working across areas such as advanced engineering, artificial intelligence, electronics, biotechnology, robotics and other deep-tech fields.

For international companies, this creates opportunities for partnerships, research and development, technology licensing, manufacturing and joint product development.

German Companies Are Increasing Their Focus on India

Europe is another important part of India’s changing commercial landscape.

The European Union and India concluded negotiations for their Free Trade Agreement on January 27, 2026. However, the agreement is not yet fully in force. The published agreement texts still need to go through the required legal, signature and internal approval procedures before the agreement becomes binding.

The potential impact is already influencing business expectations.

According to the German-Indian Business Outlook 2026, produced by KPMG and the German-Indian Chamber of Commerce, 80% of surveyed German companies plan to increase their investment in India by 2031. The survey also found that 63% use India as a production base for the regional market, while 69% view India as an important sales market.

The same survey found that 96% of respondents expect the EU-India Free Trade Agreement to have a positive effect on their business operations. At the same time, German companies identified bureaucracy and other regulatory challenges as important obstacles.

This combination is significant: international businesses are becoming more optimistic about India while also recognizing that entering the market requires careful planning.

India-Russia Economic Cooperation Enters a New Phase

India’s relationship with Russia is another important part of the country’s international business strategy.

At INNOPROM India 2026, held in New Delhi from September 9–11, Indian and Russian officials brought together manufacturers, technology companies, investors and industry organizations to explore cooperation in manufacturing, technology and investment.

On September 10, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called for an accelerated India-Russia economic and industrial partnership, with both countries working toward a target of US$100 billion in bilateral trade and US$50 billion in two-way investment by 2030. He also highlighted opportunities for Russian companies to use India’s industrial corridors for manufacturing.

The development is relevant to India’s broader manufacturing strategy because industrial corridors and plug-and-play manufacturing infrastructure can make it easier for international companies to establish production operations in the country.

Trade, Payments and Supply-Chain Resilience

Trade growth does not come without challenges.

Companies operating across BRICS and other emerging markets must consider currency fluctuations, payment systems, tariffs, market-access rules and differences in regulatory frameworks.

Greater use of local currencies and alternative payment arrangements could eventually reduce dependence on traditional cross-border payment structures in some areas. However, companies should not treat such changes as a simple replacement for existing international payment systems.

For businesses, the practical questions are more important:

How will currency risk be managed?
Which payment channels are available for a particular market?
What regulatory requirements apply to cross-border transactions?
How easily can goods and components move between production locations?
What happens if geopolitical conditions change?

These questions are particularly important for manufacturers and technology companies that depend on international supply chains.

India’s Manufacturing and Industrial Opportunity

India’s opportunity is also connected to its industrial infrastructure.

The first INNOPROM India event in September 2026 highlighted the country’s industrial corridors and manufacturing ecosystems. The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation said that 20 industrial smart cities across 13 states offer investment potential, with the projects representing approximately ₹5.35 lakh crore in investment potential.

For international companies, industrial infrastructure can be as important as market size. Manufacturing locations need reliable transportation, utilities, skilled workers, logistics networks and access to suppliers.

India’s expanding industrial corridors therefore have the potential to support businesses that want to combine domestic market access with regional manufacturing and export operations.

Macroeconomic and Market Integration Challenges

India’s growth opportunity should not be viewed without considering the risks.

Companies entering the Indian market still need to navigate regulatory requirements, taxation, currency movements, infrastructure differences and competition from established domestic businesses.

The German-Indian Business Outlook 2026 highlights this balance clearly. While 80% of surveyed German companies plan to increase investment in India by 2031, 46% also expect Indian competitors to become stronger than their companies within the next five years. Bureaucracy was identified as a major challenge by surveyed businesses.

This means international companies cannot rely solely on India’s lower costs or market size. They need a long-term strategy that includes local partnerships, product adaptation, regulatory expertise and investment in local talent.

What International Companies Should Watch

For companies evaluating India as an investment, engineering or technology hub, several factors deserve particular attention.

1. Regulatory Readiness

Companies should understand India’s sector-specific regulations, data requirements, taxation rules, product standards and compliance obligations before committing significant capital.

The EU-India FTA could create additional opportunities once it completes the required legal and approval procedures, but businesses should distinguish between a concluded negotiation and an agreement that has formally entered into force.

2. Deep-Tech and Engineering Partnerships

India’s growing deep-tech ecosystem creates opportunities for companies seeking engineering talent, research partnerships and product-development capabilities.

Events such as Bharat Innovates demonstrate the growing international visibility of Indian startups and research institutions.

3. Manufacturing Infrastructure

Companies should evaluate industrial corridors, logistics networks, supplier ecosystems and access to skilled workers rather than looking only at headline investment incentives.

4. Currency and Payment Risk

Companies operating across India, Russia, Europe and other emerging markets should assess foreign-exchange exposure carefully and understand the payment mechanisms available for each market.

5. Geopolitical Flexibility

Supply chains should not depend entirely on a single country or economic bloc.

A diversified manufacturing and sourcing strategy can help companies respond to tariffs, sanctions, transportation disruptions and other geopolitical changes.

The Bigger Picture

The most important change is that India is increasingly being evaluated as more than a large consumer market.

International companies are considering the country for manufacturing, engineering, software, research, services, technology partnerships and regional supply chains.

The combination of India’s BRICS chairship, expanding industrial infrastructure, growing deep-tech ecosystem and increasing interest from European and Russian businesses provides a broader foundation for international cooperation.

However, the opportunity should not be confused with guaranteed success. Companies still need to understand India’s regulatory environment, local competition, infrastructure requirements, currency exposure and geopolitical risks.

The Verdict

India’s position in the global investment and technology landscape is becoming increasingly significant in 2026.

The country’s BRICS chairship is giving it a larger platform for economic and technology cooperation, while initiatives such as Bharat Innovates are highlighting the depth of India’s emerging technology ecosystem. At the same time, international businesses are increasing their presence: the latest German-Indian Business Outlook shows that 80% of surveyed German companies plan to increase investment in India by 2031.

The opportunity for international companies therefore extends beyond simply entering India’s consumer market. India is increasingly being positioned as a manufacturing, engineering, technology and services hub that can connect domestic demand with international supply chains.

For businesses considering India, the winning strategy will not be based on headlines alone. Companies that combine local partnerships, strong regulatory preparation, advanced engineering capabilities and diversified supply chains will be better positioned to capture the country’s long-term growth opportunities.

Sources & Further Reading

Category: Tech News

Suggested tags: BRICS 2026, India Technology, Deep Tech, India Investment, Manufacturing, India-EU FTA, India-Russia Trade, Global Business, Supply Chains, Engineering