India’s Fin Mkts Resilient To Recent Global Uncertainties: FM

Mumbai: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said India’s financial markets have shown remarkable resilience despite recent global uncertainties and appreciated retail investors’ faith in the markets. Domestic institutional investors’ (DIIs) transition from being supportive to dominant roles in Indian markets underlines the growing maturity and depth of India’s capital market.

“We will navigate the global disruptions with policy agility and long-term investments. The recalibration efforts on trade are very, very challenging,” she said at an event to mark 150 years of BSE. The FM participated in celebrating 150 years of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and highlighted the key role BSE played in India’s financial evolution, drawing parallels between Mumbai’s Dalal Street and New York’s Wall Street. BSE has not only served as India’s oldest stock exchange, but also as a symbol of economic resilience, she said.

BSE benchmark Sensex rose from 550 points in 1986 to an all-time high of 80,000 in July 2024. This growth trajectory indicates the underlying strength and expansion of the Indian economy. “BSE has empowered businesses, startups, and industries to innovate and scale,” FM Sitharaman said. During the event, the FM launched BSE’s CSR initiatives for FY2025–26. These include projects focused on solar rooftops in Andhra Pradesh and community welfare initiatives in Karnataka, reinforcing the spirit of inclusive growth.

Her remarks underscore BSE’s dual responsibility — as a market infrastructure institution and as a catalyst for social development. As India eyes becoming the third-largest economy by the end of the decade, institutions like BSE are expected to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and democratizing wealth creation.