Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026, reaffirming India’s growing stature in the global economic and innovation landscape. The summit, to be held at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi, is positioned as a defining platform for dialogue at a time when India’s economic trajectory is drawing unprecedented global attention.
Over the past eleven years, India has witnessed a remarkable transformation under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. The country has climbed six positions to emerge as the world’s fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan in a relatively short period. With sustained momentum across manufacturing, services and technology, India is widely expected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030. Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister’s address at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 is expected to articulate India’s evolving role as a global innovation and knowledge powerhouse.
The summit has firmly established itself as South Asia’s leading thought leadership forum. This year’s theme, “A Decade of Disruption, A Century of Change,” reflects the profound shifts witnessed over the last ten years, marked by geopolitical realignments, technological acceleration, climate challenges and capital reallocation. With participation from global leaders, policymakers, economists and top corporate executives, the summit aims to explore practical and forward-looking pathways for India’s long-term economic transformation.
Under Prime Minister Modi, India has pursued an agenda of inclusive and sustainable growth. Flagship initiatives such as Make in India have strengthened domestic manufacturing while attracting significant foreign direct investment, particularly in electronics, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. The Digital India programme has fundamentally reshaped the country’s technological ecosystem, creating one of the world’s most advanced digital public infrastructures and enabling scale across financial inclusion, governance and entrepreneurship.
Infrastructure development has been another cornerstone of India’s growth strategy. Large-scale investments in highways, modern airports, high-speed rail corridors and smart cities have laid the foundation for long-term productivity and competitiveness. These structural reforms have not only improved domestic connectivity but also enhanced India’s attractiveness as a global investment destination.
A key driver of India’s economic ascent is its demographic advantage. With a young and increasingly skilled workforce, the country has emerged as one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems. Indian startups have produced globally competitive unicorns across fintech, e-commerce, deep tech and artificial intelligence, drawing comparisons with established innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley. Government-led skilling and education initiatives have played a crucial role in sustaining this entrepreneurial momentum.
India’s rise as the fourth-largest economy carries significant implications for the global economy. Its vast domestic market presents unparalleled opportunities for trade, investment and collaboration. At the same time, India’s focus on innovation has positioned it as an emerging global hub for research and development. Cross-border collaborations in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, clean energy and advanced manufacturing are increasingly shaping global technological progress.
India’s expanding digital infrastructure, including leadership in areas such as 5G deployment and blockchain adoption, has further strengthened its role in enabling global connectivity. These capabilities support international partnerships and help integrate India more deeply into global value chains.
From a geopolitical and economic standpoint, India’s policies also contribute to global stability. By diversifying supply chains and reducing overdependence on single markets, India is playing a constructive role in enhancing global economic resilience. Its participation in multilateral trade frameworks and regional economic groupings promotes cooperation at a time of rising protectionism. As a representative voice for developing nations, India continues to advocate equitable access to technology and fair trade practices.
The ET NOW Global Business Summit has a distinguished legacy of hosting influential global voices from business, policy and culture. Over the years, it has featured leaders such as Bill Gates, Brian Chesky, Arianna Huffington, Dara Khosrowshahi, Reed Hastings, Steve Wozniak, Guy Kawasaki, Paul Krugman and several global policymakers and business icons. Prime Minister Modi’s keynote at the 2026 edition is expected to be a defining highlight, setting the tone for discussions on India’s role in shaping the next century of global economic change.
Organised by ET Edge, an initiative of The Times Group, the ET NOW Global Business Summit continues to serve as a premier platform for ideas, insights and collaboration. By bringing together visionary leaders and decision-makers, the summit seeks to bridge the worlds of policy, business and society, shaping conversations that influence the future of global growth and innovation.
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