Indian businesses and institutional investors remain strongly optimistic about global growth opportunities despite ongoing economic uncertainty, according to a new survey released by HSBC India ahead of its Global Investment Summit 2026.
The study found that Indian companies are increasingly looking beyond domestic growth and actively expanding their international trade and investment strategies.
Nearly 98% of Indian respondents said they plan to increase cross-border trade or investment over the next five years — the highest among all markets surveyed. At the same time, 86% expect their international capital deployment to rise over the next three years.
The report reflects growing confidence among Indian businesses even as global markets continue to navigate geopolitical tensions, inflation concerns, and economic volatility.
Around 95% of respondents said volatility is now a permanent part of the global business environment, while 94% said they are actively increasing investments in high-growth markets despite the uncertainty.
Indian firms also appear more comfortable taking strategic risks than before. According to the survey, 94% of Indian respondents said they are now more willing to take calculated risks compared to five years ago.
Speaking on the findings, Ajay Sharma, Head of Banking at HSBC India, said the results highlight a broader shift in how Indian companies are approaching global growth.
“The findings from the survey reflect something more than a response to volatility; they signal a fundamental recalibration in where growth will be created and how it will be captured,” he said.
The survey also highlighted India’s growing focus on artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure as key drivers of future international expansion.
India ranked highest among all surveyed markets for viewing AI and data infrastructure as an important factor in international strategy decisions, cited by 71% of respondents. Meanwhile, 91% said access to critical technologies and infrastructure would significantly shape their international strategies over the next three years.
Businesses surveyed expect AI to improve productivity, workforce efficiency, forecasting capabilities, innovation, and customer experience.
The report also points to rising confidence in digital finance and tokenised financial infrastructure. Nearly all Indian respondents surveyed — 98% — said they believe digital assets will fundamentally reshape capital markets over the next decade.
The independent survey covered 3,000 senior business decision-makers and 500 institutional investors across 10 global markets, including 300 respondents from India.
HSBC currently operates across 18 cities in India and employs around 47,000 people across banking, technology, investment banking, asset management, and global operations.