Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | 31st January 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026, scheduled to be held on February 13 and 14 at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. The summit comes at a pivotal moment in India’s economic journey, as the country continues its rapid ascent in the global economic order.
Over the past eleven years under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan in 2025. This historic rise marks one of the fastest economic transformations in modern history and positions India firmly on course to become the third-largest economy by 2030. Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister’s address at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 is expected to outline a strategic roadmap for strengthening India’s role as a global innovation and manufacturing powerhouse.
The ET NOW Global Business Summit has established itself as South Asia’s premier thought leadership platform. This year’s theme, “A Decade of Disruption, A Century of Change,” will focus on navigating the unprecedented challenges and opportunities created by geopolitical shifts, climate change, capital realignments and rapid technological disruption. With participation from global leaders, senior policymakers and top CEOs, the summit aims to explore actionable pathways for India’s transition into a knowledge-driven, innovation-led economy.
Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has followed a path of inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Flagship initiatives such as Make in India have boosted domestic manufacturing and attracted significant foreign direct investment in sectors including electronics, defence and renewable energy. The Digital India programme has transformed the country’s technological ecosystem, enabling one of the world’s most advanced digital public infrastructures and supporting the rapid expansion of the digital economy.
Infrastructure development has been another cornerstone of India’s growth strategy. Large-scale investments in high-speed rail corridors, modern airports, highways and smart cities are laying the foundation for long-term economic competitiveness and productivity. These reforms are complemented by focused efforts to improve logistics efficiency and strengthen industrial corridors across the country.
A key driver of India’s economic momentum is its demographic dividend. With one of the world’s youngest workforces, India is leveraging its human capital through targeted education, skilling and employment initiatives. The country’s startup ecosystem—now among the largest globally—has produced unicorns across sectors such as fintech, e-commerce and artificial intelligence, placing India alongside leading innovation hubs like Silicon Valley.
India’s rise as the fourth-largest economy carries major implications for global trade and investment. Its vast domestic market presents significant opportunities for international businesses, while its growing focus on innovation has positioned the country as an emerging hub for research and development. Partnerships between Indian and global firms in AI, biotechnology and clean energy are accelerating technological breakthroughs and supporting sustainable development worldwide.
India’s expanding digital infrastructure, including leadership in 5G deployment and blockchain applications, is also enabling deeper cross-border collaboration and stronger global connectivity. At the same time, the country’s economic policies are contributing to greater global stability by encouraging supply chain diversification and reducing dependence on single markets.
Through active participation in multilateral trade frameworks and regional economic blocs, India continues to promote cooperation at a time of rising protectionism. As a leading voice for developing economies, the country advocates fair trade practices, technology access and inclusive growth—reshaping global economic norms and reinforcing its strategic importance on the world stage.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to address the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026, the event is expected to provide critical insights into India’s future growth strategy and its evolving role in shaping the global economic and innovation landscape.
