New Delhi/Davos: India’s presence at the World Economic Forum in Davos this year underscored a growing global consensus that the country’s economic ascent is no longer a matter of debate, but an operational reality — with discussions pivoting from questions of if India will grow, to how it will harness technological, structural and geopolitical opportunities to sustain that momentum.
Over the course of the forum, held from January 19 to 23, India’s economic narrative featured prominently in panels and private engagements with CEOs, investors and policymakers, with delegates highlighting technology, infrastructure, human capital and long-term reforms as key drivers behind the nation’s upward trajectory.
Union ministers, state leaders and business delegates reiterated that India’s growth is increasingly anchored in execution and delivery — from renewable energy acceleration and digital infrastructure to manufacturing competitiveness and AI adoption — shifting the global discourse from aspiration to action and outcomes.
On the sidelines, senior Indian policymakers framed this shift succinctly: India’s emergence as the world’s third-largest economy is now a question of “when,” not “if,” buoyed by structural reforms, rising productivity and robust domestic demand.
Global investors at the summit also pointed to India’s accelerating energy transition, where progress on renewables, grid expansion and clean energy projects was cited as a major draw for capital, even as the country braces for new challenges such as rising power demand from AI-led computing and data infrastructure.
India’s story at Davos 2026 reflects a broader repositioning — from a fast-growing emerging market to a strategic growth anchor in the global economy. This perception has translated into heightened investor interest and a stronger role for India in shaping global economic dialogues on resilience, innovation and inclusive growth amid geopolitical fragmentation and economic headwinds.
While uncertainties remain around supply chain disruptions, climate risks and evolving trade dynamics, the overarching sentiment in Davos was that India’s growth engine is no longer a hypothesis — it is a core component of global economic forecasts, with the next phase of discourse focused on implementation, competitiveness and cross-border collaboration.