Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman will inaugurate the Fourth edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave on October 3 in New Delhi. This significant event brings together top policymakers and international experts. The conclave aims to address pressing economic challenges in today’s volatile global landscape. It represents a crucial platform for shaping India’s economic future.
The Kautilya Economic Conclave 2025 will run from October 3-5 at the Taj Palace, New Delhi. Union Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar will conclude the proceedings on October 5. His reflections on India’s foreign and economic policy will provide valuable insights. This closure session promises to synthesize the key discussions from the three-day event.
Special luncheon sessions will feature forward-looking discussions on emerging technologies. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Communications, will lead a session on communications and digital infrastructure. Leading experts on artificial intelligence will contribute to this important dialogue. These sessions highlight the conclave’s focus on technological advancement.
The Kautilya Economic Conclave will culminate in a high-level plenary on global macroeconomic prudence. Dr P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will chair this significant session. Senior policymakers and economists will evaluate the world economy’s health. They will discuss necessary reforms in financial governance systems.
This year’s theme, “Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times”, reflects India’s growth aspirations. The theme acknowledges India’s success in navigating exceptional uncertainty and changing geopolitics. The Kautilya Economic Conclave has significantly improved both quality and international presence. Seventy-five participants from over thirty countries will focus on contemporary challenges.
The agenda blends immediate policy priorities with longer-term shifts. Sessions will address Asia’s emergence as a global growth hub and the evolving BRICS architecture. Financial stability and new directions in industrial policy will also feature prominently. These discussions will shape economic thinking for years to come.
Jean-Claude Trichet, Honorary Governor of the Banque de France, will converse with Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. Their dialogue will focus on central banking challenges in turbulent times. This session represents a key highlight of the Kautilya Economic Conclave. International perspectives will enrich the conversation significantly.
Other international leaders include Ms. Mari Elka Pangestu, former Indonesian Minister of Trade, and Taro Kono from Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party. They will be joined by Bai Chong-En, Dean at Tsinghua University, and Lord Karan Bilimoria from the UK House of Lords. Andres Velasco and Lord Nick Stern from the London School of Economics will also contribute. Jean-Pierre Landau, former Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, completes this impressive lineup.
Legal voices will discuss how reforms in the legal framework can underpin growth. Larry Kramer, President of the London School of Economics, and Harish Salve, Senior Advocate, will participate in this session. Shri Shaktikanta Das, Principal Secretary-II to the Prime Minister, will chair the discussion. Strengthening the rule of law remains a crucial component of economic development.
Other panels will explore universal healthcare, youth employment, and urbanization. Trade and regional integration will receive significant attention during the Kautilya Economic Conclave. The risks and rewards of emerging technologies will be thoroughly examined. These diverse topics ensure comprehensive coverage of economic issues.
Networking breaks and interactive formats across three days will ensure candid exchanges. Special sessions will foster solution-driven conversations among participants. The Kautilya Economic Conclave promises dynamic engagement opportunities. These interactions often lead to valuable professional connections and insights.
Over the past three years, each edition has addressed proximate challenges. The first edition in 2022, themed “Redefining the Future”, drew participants from twenty-one countries. It featured wide-ranging debates on technology, climate, and fiscal policy. The inaugural Arun Jaitley Memorial Lecture by Tharman Shanmugaratnam marked a significant moment.
In 2023, “Navigating a World on Fire” set the stage for high-level conversations. Multilateral development bank reform and climate finance dominated discussions. Geopolitical turbulence received considerable attention during this Kautilya Economic Conclave. Each year builds upon previous editions’ successes and insights.
The 2024 Conclave, “The Indian Era”, deepened debates on green transitions and Asia’s rise. The future of multilateralism remained a central theme throughout discussions. The Kautilya Economic Conclave has become a premier space for cross-border dialogue. Full deliberations from past editions remain available on the IEG website.
The Institute of Economic Growth initiated the Kautilya Economic Conclave in 2022 under N K Singh’s presidency. Close partnership with the Ministry of Finance ensures the event’s relevance and impact. This exclusive “by invitation only” format maintains the conclave’s prestigious nature. The Kautilya Economic Conclave continues to shape economic discourse significantly.