#KEC2025 #GlobalEconomicOutlook #IndiaRising #SeekingProsperity #NirmalaSitharaman #SJaishankar #EconomicPolicy #DigitalTransformation #Geopolitics
New Delhi — The world’s economic compass is pointing toward India’s capital as the fourth edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2025) prepares to launch. With a compelling and highly relevant theme, “Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times,” the three-day event, running from October 3rd to 5th at the Taj Palace, promises to be a crucial platform for charting global growth amidst exceptional uncertainty.
In a time marked by shifting geopolitics, persistent inflation, and technological disruption, the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, has assembled a formidable roster of international and domestic leaders. This year’s Conclave is significantly expanded, featuring 75 participants from over 30 countries, underscoring KEC’s rising influence as a premier space for candid, cross-border dialogue.
A High-Level Inauguration and Closing
The proceedings will kick off on October 3rd with the inaugural address by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. Her speech is keenly awaited for insights into India’s economic resilience and its strategy for leveraging domestic strengths to navigate global headwinds.
Mirroring the blend of economics and foreign policy that defines modern statecraft, the Conclave will be brought to a close by Union Minister for External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, on October 5th. His reflections on the seamless integration of India’s foreign policy goals with its economic ambitions are expected to provide a crucial geopolitical context to the economic debates.
Navigating Policy Priorities and the Future of Technology
The KEC 2025 agenda is carefully balanced, blending immediate policy priorities with critical longer-term shifts. Key themes for discussion include the burgeoning role of Asia as a global growth hub, the structural evolution of the BRICS architecture, and the enduring quest for financial stability and innovative industrial policy.
Technology, the great disruptor of our era, will take center stage during a special luncheon session. Union Minister of Communications, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, will chair a forward-looking discussion on “Communications: Emerging Technologies.” This session, featuring leading experts on Artificial Intelligence and digital infrastructure, is set to explore how India can harness the digital revolution while managing its inherent risks.
Global Expertise Meets Indian Pragmatism
The Conclave’s reputation for attracting global heavyweights remains strong. A highlight promises to be the conversation on the challenges of central banking in turbulent times between Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet, Honorary Governor of the Banque de France, and Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
The global contingent will feature prominent voices such as Ms. Mari Elka Pangestu, former Indonesian Minister of Trade; Mr. Taro Kono, Member of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party; and Lord Karan Bilimoria, Member of the UK House of Lords. Thought leaders from academia, including Mr. Andres Velasco and Lord Nick Stern, both Professors of Economics at the London School of Economics, will inject crucial scholarly perspective.
Law, Governance, and Macroeconomic Prudence
The intersection of law and economics, a fundamental pillar of sustained growth, will be debated by legal luminaries, including Mr. Larry Kramer, President and Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics, and Mr. Harish Salve, Senior Advocate and former Solicitor General of India. Chaired by Shri Shaktikanta Das, Principal Secretary-II to the Prime Minister, this session will focus on how legal framework reforms can anchor growth and strengthen the rule of law.
The Conclave will culminate in a high-level plenary on global macroeconomic prudence, a topic of universal concern. Chaired by Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, this session will bring together senior policymakers and economists for a definitive evaluation of the world economy’s health and the necessary reforms in financial governance.
Beyond the headlining panels, KEC 2025 will delve into societal issues essential for inclusive growth, including universal healthcare, youth employment, and the complexities of urbanisation. The design of the three-day event, which includes networking breaks and interactive formats, ensures participants can engage in the type of candid, solution-driven exchanges necessary to tackle multi-faceted global problems.
The Conclave builds on a strong legacy, with past themes calibrated to meet proximate challenges: “Redefining the Future” (2022), “Navigating a World on Fire” (2023), and “The Indian Era” (2024). This year’s focus on prosperity in a time of turbulence is a testament to the Institute of Economic Growth’s commitment to combining India’s domestic economic priorities with global perspectives, making KEC 2025 an unmissable event for anyone invested in the future of the world economy.
#KEC2025 #GlobalEconomicOutlook #IndiaRising #SeekingProsperity #NirmalaSitharaman #SJaishankar #EconomicPolicy #DigitalTransformation #Geopolitics
