JAMMU, October 10, 2026 – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday extended a strong invitation to global industry leaders, calling upon them to explore Jammu and Kashmir as a highly competitive and emerging destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs). Addressing the inaugural session of the ‘J&K GCC Summit 2026’ held at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, the Chief Minister emphasized the government’s firm commitment to creating a business-friendly ecosystem that attracts investment, fosters innovation, and generates meaningful employment.
“We have to make Jammu and Kashmir a place that is competitive, a place that is attractive to do business, a place where you can make money, and a place where we can compete with the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities around the country,” the Chief Minister stated while addressing the summit virtually from New Delhi.
The two-day summit, themed ‘Unlocking J&K’s GCC Potential for Building Growth Ecosystem and Catalysing Investment’, has brought together over 300 delegates, including 55 industry leaders and representatives from 45 organizations, to explore opportunities within India’s expanding GCC ecosystem.
Highlighting the evolution of GCCs in India from basic call centres to advanced hubs of innovation and enterprise, CM Abdullah drew a parallel with J&K’s own transformative journey over the past three decades. He acknowledged that while the region has faced a perception challenge due to its past, the current administration is actively working to overcome it by facilitating investments across manufacturing, tourism, and technology-driven sectors.
“Coming late to the party is disappointing, but it is not always disadvantageous. We can learn from the experiences of others. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We just have to use it better,” Abdullah remarked, suggesting that J&K need not replicate the paths of established hubs like Bengaluru or Hyderabad, but can instead strategically position itself against other emerging Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where the cost of doing business is rising.
The Chief Minister underscored the vital role of the region’s strong educational infrastructure, naming institutions like IIM Jammu, IIT Jammu, and the University of Kashmir, which produce a highly skilled workforce. He noted that establishing GCCs locally would help retain this talent, preventing the outward migration of educated youth seeking employment elsewhere.
Abdullah assured investors of the government’s full backing, citing the recent passage of comprehensive Ease of Doing Business legislation, which has now received the Lieutenant Governor’s assent. He stressed that the government wants corporations to choose J&K based on commercial viability and business potential, rather than sympathy for its historical challenges.
“We’d be quite happy to have one, first GCC. One will lead to five. Five will lead to ten. And the story will grow from there,” he added.
The inaugural session was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, NASSCOM President Rajesh Nambiar, NIIT Chairman Rajendra Singh Pawar, and IIM Jammu Director Prof. B.S. Sahay.
Published by True Roots Media Network