Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 18 (ANI): In a historic milestone for India's financial sector, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday hailed Dubai-based Emirates NBD's landmark USD 3 billion strategic investment in RBL Bank as a massive validation of the country's economic trajectory.

Speaking at the formal announcement ceremony in Mumbai, Fadnavis emphasised that the deal underscores India's soaring global standing.

'It demonstrates the immense confidence that global investors have in the Indian economy, the Indian banking system, and the India Growth Story,' Fadnavis said.

Highlighting the broader regulatory and structural implications of the transaction, the Chief Minister added, 'This single deal will pave the way for many more agreements, opening a path for foreign banks to tie up with Indian banks, thereby consolidating the banking sector.'

Fadnavis also spotlighted Maharashtra's dominant role as India's primary financial engine and its attractiveness as an investment destination. 'Maharashtra is one of the biggest contributors [to India], accounting for 14 per cent of the national GDP and 40 per cent of the FDI coming into the country,' he stated.

Pitching the state's aggressive development layout to the newly capitalised entity, he remarked, 'Apart from the private sector, the government is also a sector where you can safely lend--there is zero default and a massive project pipeline.'

The sentiment was strongly echoed by R Subramaniakumar, Managing Director and CEO of RBL Bank, who framed the transaction as a transformative geopolitical alignment.

'Our partnership with Emirates NBD reflects the growing strength of this India-UAE corridor... which has emerged as one of the most significant strategic corridors globally,' Subramaniakumar noted.

He emphasised that the alliance extends far beyond a capital raise: 'Together, we are not merely marking the completion of a transaction; we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive partnership.'

Shayne Nelson, Group CEO of Emirates NBD, reiterated the deep commercial ties underpinning the mega-deal. 'Our bilateral relationship has already crossed billions of dollars in trade value, making the UAE India's third-largest trading partner and India the UAE's second-largest trading partner right now,' Nelson said, adding, 'We are here to be a responsible, long-term partner in the huge India Growth Story.'

The transaction, which marks the completion of a landmark USD 3 billion strategic investment, sees Emirates NBD acquiring an immediate 60 per cent controlling stake in RBL Bank at a fixed price of Rs 280 per share.

As a result of this historic Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), RBL Bank will transition to operate as a Foreign Bank Subsidiary (FBS) under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, paving the way for the eventual integration of Emirates NBD's existing Indian branch operations.

The massive capital infusion drastically boosts RBL Bank's Tier-1 capital to accelerate its digital retail lending, while powerfully solidifying the strategic trade and remittance corridor between India and the UAE. (ANI)