NEW DELHI: As shifting alliances and strategic rivalries redraw the boundaries of global cooperation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has asserted that India remains resilient amid rising global economic uncertainty.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi on Friday, Sitharaman said that while the world faces deepening geopolitical tensions, India’s capacity to absorb external shocks is strong and its growth momentum remains firmly rooted in domestic fundamentals.
Opening the high-profile conclave, Sitharaman described the current global turbulence not as a passing phase but as a structural transformation. She noted that wars, sanctions, tariff battles, and efforts to decouple economies are rapidly reshaping global supply chains and challenging established alliances.
In response to this shifting landscape, she emphasised India’s determination to shape outcomes, not merely react to them.
“India’s economic leverage is evolving. Our choices today will determine whether our resilience becomes a platform for global leadership or merely a cushion against uncertainty,” she said, adding that developing nations can no longer afford to remain passive spectators in a world where decisions elsewhere often dictate their fate.
Eyes 8% GDP growth
Sitharaman also pointed to a weakening of trust in multilateral institutions, calling for reforms to restore confidence in global governance. She referred to the recent G20 meetings where this theme dominated expert discussions.
The finance minister reiterated the importance of India achieving 8 per cent GDP growth to meet the long-term vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047. She stressed that while global headwinds remain, India’s growth engine is powered largely by domestic demand and investment.
This year’s conclave, held under the theme “Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times”, attracted over 75 international participants from more than 30 countries. The discussions are centred on navigating economic volatility, strengthening policy resilience, and identifying pathways for sustained growth.
Concluding her address, Sitharaman reflected on history’s pattern of crises preceding renewal. “The fragmentation we witness today may pave the way for more resilient, inclusive forms of cooperation. The challenge is to ensure these are shaped by equitable principles,” she said.
