Cayman Islands and India Explore Stronger Strategic Partnerships
The Cayman Islands has advanced its efforts to build deeper strategic financial services partnerships with India, with Premier the Hon. André Ebanks leading a government delegation focused on enhancing regulatory cooperation, supervisory dialogue, and cross-border information sharing between the two countries.
This mission reflects Cayman’s aim to develop long-term, rules-based relationships that support global growth of investment destinations, while strengthening the integrity and stability of international financial markets. In the case of India, Cayman-registered entities have performed a substantial role in facilitating investment into India, contributing more than US$15 billion in cumulative FDI since 2000, and many Indian nationals participate actively in Cayman’s financial services ecosystem.
The visit commenced with participation in the 18th Plenary Meeting of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, where Premier Ebanks was invited to the Plenary to join on the first panel on Day 1 entitled: "Advancing a Shared Vision for International Tax Transparency." This session provided an excellent platform for meaningful dialogue on the future of international tax transparency.
"I was honoured to convey Cayman’s extraordinary evolution as a leading international financial services centre--and importantly an active, constructive, respected OECD Global Forum partner", said Premier Ebanks.
The Premier also underscored the Cayman Islands’ strong performance in OECD and FATF assessments and highlighted the world's shared interest in maintaining high global standards as the basis for fostering trusted international cooperation.
In Mumbai, the delegation engaged in a series of regulatory meetings with senior representatives of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and other key stakeholders. Discussions centred on establishing more structured channels for supervisor-to-supervisor engagement, including exploring opportunities for formalised cooperation frameworks, enhanced information exchange, and ongoing dialogue to support effective oversight of cross-border investment activity.
“Cayman and India share a strong commitment to regulatory excellence,” Premier Ebanks said. “By deepening our partnerships and expanding cooperation between our authorities, we can support sound business, reinforce market confidence, and deliver mutual economic benefit.”
The delegation also met with officials from GIFT City, India’s designated international financial services zone and its financial services regulator, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The delegation discussed collaborative initiatives aimed at enabling more efficient and well-regulated investment flows. These conversations align with Cayman’s broader strategy of engaging constructively with emerging global financial centres to promote interoperability and responsible innovation.
Throughout the engagements, particularly with SEBI and IFSCA, Premier Ebanks emphasised the Cayman Islands’ framework of transparency, compliance, and global cooperation as a strong foundation for building robust ties with India’s regulators and market participants, highlighting the Cayman Islands’ agreements with the US, UK, and the EU, and recognition by the Global Forum and FATF.
“The Cayman Islands understands that strategic regulatory partnerships, and the transparency and trust they foster, are essential to stable, well-functioning financial markets,” Premier Ebanks noted. “Our goal is to work collaboratively with India to support high-quality investment, safeguard integrity, and reinforce our shared role in global finance.”
Additionally, drawing on existing Cayman-India connections, the delegation visited Narayana SRCC Children's Hospital in Mumbai (within the Shetty Group of hospitals) to discuss the future healthcare developments with Vice Chair Viren Shetty and top hospital staff, especially how enhanced IT systems, AI and data analytics can lower costs and make patient services more efficient and effective.
The Premier was accompanied by the Ministry of Financial Services and Commerce’s Chief Officer Dr Dax Basdeo; Cabinet Office International Affairs Analyst Sean Whewell; and Abraham Thoppil, long-recognised for his expertise in India-focused investment structures and healthcare practices.
Premier Ebanks will continue to advance Cayman's international regulatory engagement during upcoming meetings in Florida before returning home next week.
