At second edition of The Economic Times World Leaders Forum in Delhi, Times Internet Chairman Satyan Gajwani said India’s resilience remains steady despite global instability. He contrasted the optimism of last year with today’s uncertain climate, describing the nation as “daring, responsible, diligent and with a dil that craves much more.”
He described India as both responsible and ambitious, positioning it as a nation ready to meet challenges at home and abroad.
India’s role in a unstable order
Reflecting on India’s position in the current geopolitical environment, Gajwani said, “India remains daring, responsible.” He expanded on this by adding, “India is daring, diligent and has a dil that craves much more.”
He recalled Operation Sindoor as an example of decisive leadership. “Operation Sindoor carried out under PM Modi’s leadership, was a reset of how India would respond in such situations.” He described it as a turning point that underlined India’s preparedness to face provocations in the future.
At the same time, Gajwani warned of disruptions elsewhere. “We are also witnessing, highly destructive policy rules from those once deemed to be the global guarantors of stability. These moves threaten to upend the rule based order that has held up the world for more than seven decades.”
He noted that even global supply chains, long considered stable, are no longer certain. “The global supply chain cannot be taken as given anymore.”
Re-examining alliances
Gajwani cautioned that global dynamics are shifting quickly. “Long held assumptions and friendships, all deserve careful evaluation,” he said. He added that recent events have highlighted lessons for nations across the world, lessons which, he said, “Prime Minister Modi has been championing for years now.”
He underlined the need for balance. “Global cooperation must go hand in hand in global aspiration,” he said, making the case that self-reliance cannot mean isolation.
Also Read: ET WLF 2025: PM Modi outlines India’s next-gen ambitions in chip, space & EVs
Rising uncertainty abroad
Gajwani spoke of instability on the world stage. “We are witnessing highly disrupting policy moves, from those once held as the global guarantors of stability,” he said. These shifts, he warned, threaten the rules-based order that has supported global relations for decades.
On the economic front, he noted, “The global supply chain cannot be taken as a given anymore,” pointing to the fragility of interdependence in trade and production.
Economic confidence rooted in history
Gajwani placed India’s current economic path against the backdrop of its past struggles. “We went through a thousand years of invasion and centuries of colonialism. Yet, here we stand, soon to be the 3rd largest economy in the world.”
He said the country’s people remain its biggest strength. “The faces in the hall tell our greatest strength.” From scientists sending missions to Mars, to Indian-origin CEOs leading multinational corporations, and entrepreneurs shaping new industries, Gajwani described India as a nation that has continually turned adversity into opportunity. “As a nation we have looked at every crisis as an opportunity.”
Also Read: India remains the world’s strongest long-term market story: Jefferies’ Christopher Wood at ET WLF
Reforms and the Middle Class
On the domestic economic front, Gajwani stressed the importance of reforms to keep India’s growth on track. “The govt is working on next gen reforms starting with GST revamp.” He pointed to India’s domestic market as a unique asset, powered by the world’s largest middle class.
“This is our moment to believe in our history, people, capacity to adapt,” he said, encouraging confidence in India’s ability to evolve.
India’s four pillars
Looking at what drives India’s long-term growth, Gajwani referred back to an acronym he had introduced earlier. “India TICKS all the boxes: Talent, Infrastructure, Community & Knowledge.” He described these as strengths “that don't wash away with the tides of history.”
“This is a time to discover our hidden strengths. And usher in reforms, they will unleash the wild spirits within us,” he added.
Also Read: 'If you don’t like it, don’t buy it': Jaishankar on Trump's secondary sanctions on India’s Russian oil trade
He described India as both responsible and ambitious, positioning it as a nation ready to meet challenges at home and abroad.
India’s role in a unstable order
Reflecting on India’s position in the current geopolitical environment, Gajwani said, “India remains daring, responsible.” He expanded on this by adding, “India is daring, diligent and has a dil that craves much more.”
He recalled Operation Sindoor as an example of decisive leadership. “Operation Sindoor carried out under PM Modi’s leadership, was a reset of how India would respond in such situations.” He described it as a turning point that underlined India’s preparedness to face provocations in the future.
At the same time, Gajwani warned of disruptions elsewhere. “We are also witnessing, highly destructive policy rules from those once deemed to be the global guarantors of stability. These moves threaten to upend the rule based order that has held up the world for more than seven decades.”
He noted that even global supply chains, long considered stable, are no longer certain. “The global supply chain cannot be taken as given anymore.”
Re-examining alliances
Gajwani cautioned that global dynamics are shifting quickly. “Long held assumptions and friendships, all deserve careful evaluation,” he said. He added that recent events have highlighted lessons for nations across the world, lessons which, he said, “Prime Minister Modi has been championing for years now.”
He underlined the need for balance. “Global cooperation must go hand in hand in global aspiration,” he said, making the case that self-reliance cannot mean isolation.
Also Read: ET WLF 2025: PM Modi outlines India’s next-gen ambitions in chip, space & EVs
Rising uncertainty abroad
Gajwani spoke of instability on the world stage. “We are witnessing highly disrupting policy moves, from those once held as the global guarantors of stability,” he said. These shifts, he warned, threaten the rules-based order that has supported global relations for decades.
On the economic front, he noted, “The global supply chain cannot be taken as a given anymore,” pointing to the fragility of interdependence in trade and production.
Economic confidence rooted in history
Gajwani placed India’s current economic path against the backdrop of its past struggles. “We went through a thousand years of invasion and centuries of colonialism. Yet, here we stand, soon to be the 3rd largest economy in the world.”
He said the country’s people remain its biggest strength. “The faces in the hall tell our greatest strength.” From scientists sending missions to Mars, to Indian-origin CEOs leading multinational corporations, and entrepreneurs shaping new industries, Gajwani described India as a nation that has continually turned adversity into opportunity. “As a nation we have looked at every crisis as an opportunity.”
Also Read: India remains the world’s strongest long-term market story: Jefferies’ Christopher Wood at ET WLF
Reforms and the Middle Class
On the domestic economic front, Gajwani stressed the importance of reforms to keep India’s growth on track. “The govt is working on next gen reforms starting with GST revamp.” He pointed to India’s domestic market as a unique asset, powered by the world’s largest middle class.
“This is our moment to believe in our history, people, capacity to adapt,” he said, encouraging confidence in India’s ability to evolve.
India’s four pillars
Looking at what drives India’s long-term growth, Gajwani referred back to an acronym he had introduced earlier. “India TICKS all the boxes: Talent, Infrastructure, Community & Knowledge.” He described these as strengths “that don't wash away with the tides of history.”
“This is a time to discover our hidden strengths. And usher in reforms, they will unleash the wild spirits within us,” he added.
Also Read: 'If you don’t like it, don’t buy it': Jaishankar on Trump's secondary sanctions on India’s Russian oil trade
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