The International Conference on Business Opportunities in India’s maiden International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City was held on March 24, 2026, at the Consulate General of India in Toronto. Hosted by ICICI Bank Canada, the event brought together senior leaders, financial institutions, and industry stakeholders to explore cross-border investment opportunities, global capital flows, and the evolving role of international financial centres.
The conference opened with a welcome address by Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh, Acting Consul General of India in Toronto, setting the tone for discussions on strengthening India–Canada financial ties. This was followed by a special address from Shri Dinesh K. Patnaik, High Commissioner of India to Canada, who emphasized the growing strategic and economic alignment between the two countries.
Delivering the keynote address, K. Rajaraman, Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), outlined the vision behind GIFT IFSC as India’s first international financial hub and its emergence as a gateway for global capital. He highlighted its aligned regulatory framework, competitive tax regime, and the opportunities it offers for global investors to access Indian and international markets.
A detailed presentation by Dr. Dipesh Shah, Executive Director at IFSCA, focused on business opportunities for Canadian institutions across sectors including banking, capital markets, insurance, fund management, pension funds, and global capability centres.
The event also featured a panel discussion with leading industry voices, including Nilesh Shah of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company, Jay Kothari of DSP Investment Managers, Naresh Sharma of Sharma Wealth Management, Himadar Maddipatla of ICICI Bank Canada, Sneha Bhagat of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and Revati Kasture of CareEdge Global IFSC Limited. Moderated by Supriyo Bhattacharjee of IFSCA, the discussion explored investment pathways, regulatory frameworks, and the growing global competitiveness of GIFT IFSC.
Panelists highlighted that GIFT IFSC now hosts over 1,100 registered institutions and operates under a unified regulatory structure aimed at enhancing ease of doing business and attracting international capital.
The conference concluded with an interactive Q&A session followed by a networking lunch, providing a platform for meaningful engagement between Canadian and Indian financial stakeholders.
The event underscored the increasing importance of GIFT IFSC as a global financial gateway and highlighted the strong potential for deeper collaboration between India and Canada across banking, capital markets, and investment ecosystems.
