The viral video of Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, where she is seen asking foreign multinational corporations why they are not investing in india, has ignited a wave of discussions on social media. Five years ago, she posed a similar question to indian companies, inquiring why they hesitated to invest within the country.
Critics now argue that this repeated plea reflects deeper structural concerns in India's economic environment, from regulatory uncertainties to high tax burdens and compliance costs. The lack of substantial private investment, both domestic and international, suggests that these issues are deterring investors despite the government’s efforts to promote india as an attractive business destination.
The responses to this video reflect the dissatisfaction among some economists and business leaders, who believe that Sitharaman’s approach overlooks the need for concrete economic reforms to stimulate demand and stabilize the investment climate. While the government has introduced tax cuts and incentives for certain sectors, critics argue that these measures have not addressed broader issues like complex regulatory frameworks and an uncertain policy landscape.
On social media, various users voiced their discontent, with one even labeling Sitharaman as “the dumbest finance minister in India’s history,” a sentiment echoed by veteran politician Subramanian Swamy, who went a step further by calling her the “dumbest finance minister in the history of the world.” Their critiques reflect concerns over the direction of India's economic policies and their effectiveness in fostering growth.