Leaders from government, industry and global economic institutions came together at the 11th edition of the Times Network’s India Economic Conclave (IEC 2025) in New Delhi to deliberate on India’s growth trajectory and strategic positioning in a rapidly evolving global order.

The conclave, themed ‘Navigating Geoeconomics,’ focused on how India can strengthen its economic resilience, strategic autonomy and global influence amid rising geopolitical and economic complexity.

According to a press release, the forum featured a series of high-impact discussions examining trade and capital flows, infrastructure and manufacturing, digital and services-led growth, and emerging priorities such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, climate transition, mobility and defence preparedness. Together, these conversations outlined a forward-looking roadmap for India’s economic leadership in a multipolar world.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the country’s largest carmaker, used the platform to share its perspective on the future of electric mobility. Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said that while the EV market is witnessing a growing number of new models, overall penetration remains low at around 4 per cent despite monthly car sales of nearly four lakh units. He noted that Maruti Suzuki’s approach is focused on addressing the practical concerns of its core customer base rather than chasing early adopters, ensuring that sustainable mobility aligns with India’s broader economic vision.

Banerjee added that the company is working to resolve key challenges associated with EV ownership before the launch of its e-Vitara electric SUV. He highlighted efforts to address range anxiety through the creation of a large charging ecosystem, including the installation of 2,000 EV charging points across more than 1,100 cities and partnerships with 13 charge point operators. Maruti Suzuki, he said, aims to support the development of one lakh EV chargers across the country by 2030 through a combination of dealer and partner networks.

The insurance sector also featured prominently in the discussions. Sumit Madan, Managing Director and CEO of Axis Max Life Insurance, described GST 2.0 and the proposed Amendment of Insurance Laws Bill, 2025 as positive steps for the industry. He said the reforms are expected to benefit customers by encouraging greater competition and transparency, particularly with the provision allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment. Madan also welcomed the removal of GST on life insurance, calling it a momentous decision that has already helped stimulate demand.

Cross-border payments and financial sovereignty were addressed by Prabhpreet Singh Gill, Chairman, Pay10 Global and Eastern Fortune Investments. He underlined the importance of bilateral corridors, such as those with Oman, in enabling Indian domestic players to expand globally. Gill said recent RBI changes to cross-border payment licensing are critical for empowering MSMEs to operate internationally, adding that India’s success with UPI has strengthened the credibility of Indian payment companies abroad.

Gill noted that while capital requirements and localisation norms in overseas markets can be challenging, Indian companies must overcome hesitation and actively seek global opportunities. He emphasised that the international success of domestic payment systems like UPI will ultimately depend on adoption by local merchants and the creation of interoperable systems that reduce reliance on a handful of global networks.

Renewable energy and sustainability were discussed in a fireside chat titled “Unlocking Solar Superpower,” where Preeti Bajaj, CMD, Luminous Power Technologies, spoke about India’s natural advantage in solar energy. She highlighted affordability, accessibility and availability as key drivers for solar adoption, adding that India should remain open to multiple battery storage technologies rather than relying on a single solution. Bajaj stressed the importance of adapting technology to local conditions and leveraging India’s software strengths to advance energy innovation.

IEC 2025 concluded by reaffirming its position as a premier platform that brings together policymakers, industry leaders, economists and innovators. The conclave underscored the need for collaborative thinking and decisive action as India seeks to strengthen its economic leadership and navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing global landscape.