Delhi, 3 October (H.S.): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the Kautilya Economic Conclave 2025, emphasizing India’s strong resilience amid global economic structural shifts and geopolitical tensions. She highlighted that India’s external shock absorption capacity remains robust despite the challenges posed by global uncertainties, including trade and energy imbalances.

Speaking at the New Delhi event, Sitharaman called attention to emerging tariffs and geopolitical stress reshaping the world economy while underscoring India’s aspiration for 8 percent GDP growth to achieve developed nation status by 2047. She clarified that India’s pursuit of self-reliance does not imply economic isolation but a strategic strengthening amid unprecedented global volatility.

The Finance Minister also noted growing private sector opportunities within India, particularly through increasing interest in public-private partnership projects, supported by the government's commitment to capital expenditure. Sitharaman stressed the importance of active participation in reshaping international economic institutions and called for reforms reflecting current global realities.

Prominent attendees included NK Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, Maria Elka Pangestu, Special Advisor to Indonesia’s President on International Trade, and Larry Kramer, President and Vice-Chancellor of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sitharaman concluded by reaffirming India’s commitment to sustainable growth, emphasizing that resilience today will either become the foundation for future leadership or merely a buffer against ongoing uncertainties in the global order.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar