Prime Minister’s Original Address at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2026

The Economic Times World Leaders Forum, an annual gathering that brings together heads of state, senior policymakers, and business leaders from across the globe, featured a keynote address by the Prime Minister of India. In the released transcript, the Prime Minister emphasized a “balanced growth” strategy that seeks to sustain India’s projected 7‑percent annual GDP expansion while addressing structural challenges such as unemployment, regional disparities, and climate vulnerability. The speech highlighted a suite of fiscal and regulatory reforms aimed at simplifying the business environment, expanding the manufacturing base under the “Make in India 2026” initiative, and attracting foreign direct investment through a revamped single‑window clearance system.

A significant portion of the address was devoted to climate action and energy security. The Prime Minister announced an accelerated timeline for achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, committing additional budgetary resources to offshore wind, solar‑hydrogen hybrids, and green infrastructure financing. The speech also called for a “global climate partnership” to harmonize carbon‑pricing mechanisms and to share technology transfer pathways, especially with developing economies. On the digital front, the Prime Minister outlined plans to expand high‑speed broadband to rural districts, promote a national data‑privacy framework, and foster a regulatory sandbox for artificial‑intelligence startups, positioning India as a hub for responsible tech innovation.

Concluding with a diplomatic overture, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of multilateral institutions and urged participating nations to pursue coordinated trade policies that safeguard supply‑chain resilience while fostering inclusive growth. The address was met with broad approval from the forum’s delegates, who cited the speech’s clear articulation of actionable priorities as a roadmap for collaborative progress in the coming decade.