Piyush Goyal pitches India to US businesses across food, startups, AI and finance

CHICAGO: From farm to finance, India is pitching a wider investment story to American businesses. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has highlighted India’s expanding food processing sector, modernising agricultural value chains and large consumer market as key opportunities for US companies during a series of engagements in Chicago.

Goyal, who shared details of his meetings on X, also called for deeper India-US collaboration in startups, innovation and technology, as he met business leaders, entrepreneurs and professional groups during his visit.

One of his key meetings was with Juan Ricardo Luciano, chair of the board and CEO of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). The two discussed opportunities for ADM to expand its presence and investments in India.

Goyal said India’s rapidly expanding food processing industry, modernising agricultural value chains and large consumer base offer significant scope for long-term business collaboration.

The minister also delivered the keynote address at a US-India Business Council (USIBC) roundtable focused on ‘Startups & Innovation: Scaling Ideas, Investment and Growth’.

Discussions at the roundtable centred on venture investment, commercialisation and corporate partnerships that can help Indian and US startups scale across markets. Goyal also explored ways to strengthen India-US innovation linkages and support high-growth companies.

The startup focus comes as India seeks to deepen its role in the global innovation ecosystem, with cross-border capital, technology and partnerships becoming increasingly important for emerging companies.

Goyal also met leadership and members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) from its Chicago, Michigan and Ohio chapters.

He highlighted the role of chartered accountants in supporting businesses operating across the two markets, particularly in areas such as cross-border taxation, regulatory compliance and financial governance.

“Chartered Accountants have a pivotal role in strengthening this partnership by helping businesses navigate cross-border taxation, regulatory compliance and financial governance, while making Indian enterprises investment-ready for global capital,” Goyal said.

Artificial intelligence was another part of the minister’s Chicago engagements. Goyal separately met Paul Grewal, chief legal and global affairs officer at Cognition, with discussions covering the use of the company’s AI solutions and opportunities to deepen its presence in India.

The minister also met Greg Case, CEO of Aon, to discuss the company’s operations in India and potential areas for further expansion.

Goyal highlighted India’s growing strengths as a global hub for talent, innovation and business services, while pointing to further opportunities for India-US commercial partnerships.

Taken together, the Chicago engagements put food processing, startups, AI, professional services and investment at the centre of India’s pitch to US businesses, with the focus firmly on turning bilateral economic ties into deeper commercial collaboration.