Powering thought leadership at BT India@100

BT India@100 Summit, a flagship initiative of The India Today Group, brought together thought leaders, government representatives, and key leaders of India Inc. to deliberate on the India growth story, its bold, global ambitions, and avenues for collaboration to leverage these strengths on a global scale. Allcargo Group, India’s largest homegrown logistics multinational with operations in 180 countries was the Logistics Partner, fostering knowledge exchange and creating a platform for new, innovative ideas and forward strides.

Being among the fastest growing economies in current times, India has set aspirations to become a developed nation with a USD 26 trillion economy by the year 2047, marking its 100-year journey since Independence. In this context, the next 24 years are crucial to achieve this goal.

Driving this agenda forward, the BT India@100 Summit explored the diverse aspects that have propelled India’s ascent, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. 

India’s bold, ambitious growth trajectory

India has made an incredible transition from a predominantly agrarian economy to one that has posted incredible development across factors like infrastructure, investments, manufacturing, and more, especially over the last decade.

The GDP has grown 7.8% in the April-June quarter of 2023-24 as compared to 6.1% in the January-March quarter of 2022-23, creating numerous opportunities for businesses and the services sector.

This positive outlook and performance are a result of thrust on digitalization, growing consumption and spending power, demographic strengths of a young population, a globally competitive services sector, backed by the government’s commitment to developing infrastructure, giving impetus to manufacturing and enhancing the ease of doing business. Further, the e-commerce boom and rising demand for logistics, coupled by nationwide robust initiatives like the National Logistics Policy and Gati Shakti National Master Plan pave the way to accelerate global strides of progress.

Another aspect that is extremely important at the global stage is India’s commitment to ESG and the global sustainability targets.

Key highlights and discussion points

• In the inaugural session, ‘Building Tomorrow’s Roads Today’, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon. Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, spoke about the concerted shift to EVs, and the initiative to convert 5 lakh state transport buses from fossil fuel to electric vehicles. 
  
  
• Commenting on India’s rising eminence, Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, in his address on ‘Why the World Bets on India?’ made a bold assertion of a G3 in the foreseeable future comprising the USA, China and India. He spoke about the need to undertake reforms every year and reap the rich demographic dividend, which is a huge positive factor. A significant point of discussion was India’s ongoing G20 presidency, and the G20 Summit.
  
  
• In a session on Towards Achieving Global Leadership’, Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog, and India’s Sherpa to the G20 in its year of presidency, emphasised that there will be a shift of power from the Global North to the Global South. Illustrating his point using an example from technology, he spoke about the shift from big tech to open-source, open API interoperable models which allow for greater innovation and public-private play, as seen with India’s success in identity banking, fast payments, etc.
  
  
• Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE, stated that he foresees a time in the near future, when the stock exchange will offer instant settlement, eliminating the current two-day delay in stock allocations, in his session ‘Equity led path to a $20 Trillion Economy’.
  
  
• In his session on ‘Giving Wings to a Billion Indians’ Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Hon. Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel, Government of India, spoke about the silent revolution in the aviation sector. He touched upon the growth of nearly 170% in the number of domestic air passengers since 2014, as well as the speed with which the government was increasing connectivity by building new airports.

Deliberations on subjects that matter

Several more discussions and addresses by prominent leaders covered areas like the role of renewable energy in India’s future, opportunities for India to grow into the world’s consumption hub, the transformative power of AI in management, building a resilient India in alignment with its economic trajectory, the path to becoming the world’s largest economy, rise of smart cities, the role of India’s scientific prowess and technology innovation in economic growth, and lots more. 

Partnering thought leadership

Mr. Shashi Kiran Shetty, Founder and Chairman, Allcargo Group, was among the leaders present, interacting with the attendees and sharing ideas. He also felicitated Shri Gadkari and Shri Scindia, in appreciation of their time, presence, and astute insights.

For Allcargo Group, this was an ideal platform to build bridges, spark conversations, and strengthen collaborations to propel India’s growth story forward.