India is set to become a top investment hub in 2026. Global CEOs are eyeing India for cross-border investments, placing it second only to the USA. India has emerged as the second most preferred destination for global CEOs looking at cross border investments in 2026, behind the USA, and alongside the UK and Germany, as per the PwC 29th Annual Global CEO Survey.
The PwC survey said that of the total CEOs who were planning any investment beyond their borders, about 35 per cent said that they would like to invest in the USA, while 13 per cent each said they would like to invest in India, the UK and Germany.
Last year, India was at the fifth spot along with France on the list of territories global CEOs would like to invest in, the PwC survey said.
“India’s position as a preferred investment destination illustrates the confidence global and domestic leaders place in its economic fundamentals and long-term growth prospects. At the same time, the evolving landscape of cyber and technology risks underscores the need for decisive leadership that balances innovation with resilience. CEOs who can navigate this dual challenge fostering strategic growth while safeguarding enterprise and stakeholder trust will shape the future trajectory of business and the economy,” said Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC in India.
The PwC survey said that of the total 4,454 CEOs, including nearly 50 Indian CEOs, surveyed, 46% were not planning any investment during the year. For Indian CEOs, looking at cross-border investment US, UAE and the UK were the top three destinations.
The survey also said that India Inc seems to be more upbeat about economic growth than their global counterparts in 2026, mainly due to relatively stronger domestic growth and public investment.
As per the PwC survey, 77 per cent of Indian CEOs and 55 per cent of global CEOs believe economic growth in their respective territories will improve over the next twelve months. Indian leaders’ confidence comes at a time when global sentiment seems to be weighed down by uncertainty.
Technology sits at the centre of Indian CEOs’ optimism, but it is also a source of unease. According to the PwC survey, 66 per cent of Indian CEOs are concerned about keeping pace with technology and AI, compared with 42 per cent globally. The concern reflects the speed at which AI is reshaping business models and competitive dynamics, raising the cost of delayed adoption in an increasingly digital economy.
As per the PwC survey, 32 per cent of Indian CEOs who have applied AI to business functions to at least a moderate extent report revenue growth, while 27 per cent report cost reductions. Companies with broader and stronger AI foundations are 2.3 times more likely to report revenue growth and 1.7 times more likely to achieve cost reductions, according to the PwC survey.
Alongside AI, cybersecurity has also become a top priority for global CEOs. As per the PwC survey, cyber risks are the second most significant threat facing India over the next twelve months, overtaking inflation. Nearly 48 per cent of Indian CEOs plan to strengthen enterprise-wide cybersecurity measures to a large or very large extent, reflecting heightened exposure as digital adoption deepens across operations and customer interfaces.
The PwC survey also found that companies facing fewer trust-related concerns tend to deliver stronger financial performance, including higher shareholder returns. For Indian CEOs, trust now spans data security, responsible AI use and transparency with stakeholders.
Another defining feature of India Inc’s outlook is its appetite for reinvention. The PwC survey shows that 57 per cent of Indian CEOs say their companies have entered at least one new sector over the past five years, up sharply from 39 per cent last year and well above the global figure of 42 per cent. Technology, industrial manufacturing, and aerospace and defence are the most favoured sectors for expansion over the next three years. Globally, companies entering new sectors generate about 20 per cent of their revenue from these new ventures.
Yet the survey also highlights execution gaps. While ambition around AI and innovation is high, many Indian CEOs believe current AI investments are insufficient to meet long-term goals. Challenges around integration, talent availability and organisational readiness persist, and more than a third of CEOs say their speed to market for new products and services lags behind peers.
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