Davos: India’s economic narrative at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos this year shifted markedly from uncertainty to stability and strategic confidence, with industry bodies and global delegates affirming India’s role as a durable growth engine even as geopolitical tensions and global macroeconomic headwinds continue to cloud the outlook.
According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), discussions throughout the summit repeatedly cited India as a “reliable long-term anchor” of global growth, underpinned by resilient fundamentals, strong domestic demand and expanding opportunities across sectors. This sentiment emerged against a backdrop of cautious optimism and strategic focus, even as geopolitical tensions framed much of the global conversation.
CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee described the overall mood at Davos as “cautiously optimistic and strategically focused”, noting that while challenges such as geopolitical fault lines and trade uncertainties persisted, they did not overshadow India’s fundamental growth story or deter multinational executives and investors from engaging with Indian stakeholders.
Industry and investor confidence was also buoyed by India’s macro stability, policy reforms, and expanding digital and physical infrastructure, which together have helped the country sustain robust economic activity despite external pressures. Analysts and delegates pointed to India’s large and growing domestic market, favourable demographics and ongoing structural reforms as key factors bolstering its appeal as a growth anchor at a time when many advanced economies face slowing trajectories and persistent uncertainty.
Global investor sentiment at Davos echoed broader economic forecasts that see India maintaining solid growth momentum in the medium term. Independent projections suggest India’s GDP is expected to remain among the fastest-growing major economies, supported by strong domestic demand, public investment and reforms aimed at enhancing competitiveness, even as global pressures linger.
The reaffirmation of India as a stable hub for growth and investment at Davos reinforces its positioning as a strategic destination for global capital, particularly at a time when geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain realignments and protectionist pressures are prompting multinational firms to reassess and diversify their operating and investment horizons.