India remains the largest market for the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) private sector operations, with the multilateral lender expecting to provide about $1 billion in direct financing this year for projects aligned with the country’s development priorities, according to PTI.The planned support follows a year in which ADB channelled over $2 billion to India’s private sector through a combination of direct financing and mobilised funds.“Last year, we did more than $4 billion for sovereign and more than $1 billion for the private sector from our own capital,” ADB Vice-President (Market Solutions) Bhargav Dasgupta told PTI.Besides, he said, “We mobilised an equal amount for them from other sources. In effect, the flow was $2 billion to private sectors through the ADB in 2025″.Asked about plans for 2026, Dasgupta said, “We will maintain the tempo on the private sector side”.He said ADB would continue financing sectors such as renewable and clean energy, green hydrogen, e-mobility and green data centres.The Manila-based lender is also focusing on urban infrastructure development, sustainable agriculture and financial inclusion.“This is in complete alignment with what the Government of India wants because our country partnership agenda is co-created with the government,” he said.Dasgupta also said trade and supply chain financing activity has risen sharply this year, with a 40% jump recorded in the first four months of 2026 due to the West Asia crisis.Trade and supply chain financing are supporting the import of fertiliser, energy and food, which are absolutely critical for many countries, he said.Last month, ADB and Standard Chartered Bank signed agreements to strengthen supply chain finance in India through risk-sharing arrangements covering both US dollar and rupee transactions.The agreements include a risk participation arrangement structured through Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to support US dollar-denominated transactions, and a partial guarantee facility agreement to support onshore rupee transactions.A key feature of the partnership is its focus on emerging and underserved segments of supply chain finance, particularly distributor financing. The collaboration represents ADB’s first engagement in this space within the Indian market.
