CII: S. India Can Emerge As Asia’s Strategic Growth Partner

CHENNAI: South India is well-positioned to become a strategic partner in Asia’s next phase of growth, leveraging its diversified industrial base, manufacturing capabilities, technology ecosystem and strong connectivity with Asian economies, industry leaders said at the inaugural Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Namaste Asia Summit 2026 in Chennai on

The summit, organised by the CII Southern Region on the theme “Building Partnerships for Asia’s Next Growth Story”, brought together business leaders, diplomats, policymakers and investors from south and east Asia and southeast Asia.

CII Southern Region chairman and Danfoss India president P Ravichandran said the five southern states together account for nearly one-third of India’s GDP, estimated at USD1.3–1.4 trillion. With global value chains being reorganised, south India could provide a reliable anchor for businesses, he said, calling for greater cross-border technology transfer, co-located manufacturing and resilient supply chains.