Green shoots visible; private investment will only grow, says FM Sitharaman

10-year bond yield heading towards 7 per cent, as per Nomura.

The government’s efforts in the Budget are expected to be positive for private investment, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in an interview with Network18 Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi.

“I see some green shoots, and I see the situation improving; private sector investment will only grow,” FM Sitharaman said in her first interview after the presentation of the Budget 2026.

Calling it a Budget for stability, the finance minister noted that one of the main considerations was ensuring companies can continue doing business at a time when global uncertainty is proving to be a hindrance.

“We even want global businesses to come to India,” Sitharaman said.

The government has continued its capex push in the upcoming Budget, allocating Rs 12.2 lakh crore, an 11.5 percent jump from the previous year.

The Indian government is expected to spend nearly Rs 11 lakh crore in the current Budget, up from Rs 10.5 lakh crore in the previous fiscal.

The Economic Survey, released on January 28, had noted that unless structural complexities, like policy frameworks and the cost of capital, are addressed, private investment would remain limited.

Stressing on the government's commitment to reform, Sitharaman underscored that "Budget or aside (the budget), reforms will continue."

The finance minister also noted that customs reforms were a significant reform during the current Budget. The government has tried to correct inverted duty structure.