Vedanta chief meets Suvendu, explores investments in West Bengal

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Anil Agarwal says he will leave no stone unturned to invest in Bengal if the right opportunity presents itself. (Photo: X/@cmowbgov)

Vedanta Group chairperson Anil Agarwal, who met Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata on Wednesday (October 28, 2026), said he was exploring investment opportunities worth around ₹70,000 crore in West Bengal, especially in sectors such as power generation and an alluminium smelter plant.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Agarwal said if he received active support from the administration, the company would make major investments in the next few years.

“I will leave no stone unturned to invest in West Bengal if the right opportunity presents itself,” Mr. Agarwal said at an interactive session organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata. The industrialist added that there was an intention for positive change in West Bengal, and providing confidence to the business community would help bring larger investments into the State. 

“Today’s Chief Minister is very positive, very friendly, and the double-engine government here will create more jobs to make people happy,” Mr. Agarwal said. 

“He [Mr. Agarwal] has given a specific proposal to set up a unit in Asansol. We had a good meeting. He is very interested in investing here. Because of the previous government, he did not invest here, even though he has investments in seven BJP-ruled States,” Mr. Adhikari said after their meeting. The Chief Minister added that Mr. Agarwal had said he already had the land required for the unit and had given assurance that this new project could generate up to 10,000 jobs.

Previously, top industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani have also met with Mr. Adhikari.

Shri Anil Agarwal, Chairman of the Vedanta Group, paid a courtesy visit to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Suvendu Adhikari, at Nabanna today. Glimpses of the meeting. https://t.co/hWb2uPC8xP

These interactions draw significance as the Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal pushes for industrial investment and job creation in the State. This push was also one of the party’s biggest election campaign points in 2026. 

Mr. Agarwal said India must unlock its mineral wealth and become self-reliant, rather than depending on exports.  

“India cannot continue to depend on imports when we have the resources to manufacture these products at home. We need to accelerate mineral exploration, encourage entrepreneurs to invest in mining and build downstream industries that convert our natural resources into high-value products,” Mr. Agarwal said. 

“They should not be scared of the government. They must respect the government, but should not fear it,” Mr. Agarwal said during his interaction with the audience at the event as he shared advice for the younger generation joining business. 

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