The Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, successfully concluded the Fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2026) held from 3–5 October 2026 in New Delhi. The three-day event, themed 'Resilience in an Age of Flux,' brought together more than 200 policymakers, economists, academics, financial experts and international thought leaders, including over 80 international participants from approximately 30 countries.
Vice-President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the conclave on 3rd October 2026, emphasizing that economic resilience cannot be separated from social resilience and highlighting inclusion as a foundation of resilience in a rapidly changing world. He stressed the importance of policymaking grounded in realities and responsive to changing circumstances.
A key highlight was the Special Plenary on 'Resilience in an Age of Flux: India's Economic Priorities' addressed by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, with Ms. Amélie de Montchalin, President of the Cour des Comptes, France, as discussant. The session examined how India can sustain growth, preserve macroeconomic stability and expand investment amid global fragmentation, technological disruption and recurrent shocks.
The conclave featured significant discussions on central banking, financial stability and macroeconomic resilience, examining how monetary authorities can navigate inflation, financial fragility, capital flows and institutional credibility in an environment of recurrent global shocks. Technology and digital economy formed another important strand, with Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia delivering a keynote address on 'Connected India, Empowered Finance: Building Trusted Digital Infrastructure for the AI Economy,' examining how digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence can contribute to productivity and economic transformation.
The cultural dimension was addressed by Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 'Culture as Capital: From Heritage to Horizons,' examining the role of cultural capital and heritage in economic development. The global perspective was strengthened through discussions on India's evolving position in the international order, with a special concluding session 'India and the World: Adaptive by Design' moderated by Shri N. K. Singh, President, Board of Trustees, IEG, featuring Dr. S. Jaishankar, Union Minister for External Affairs, and Mr. George Yeo, former Foreign Minister of Singapore.
The conclave's deliberations covered global fragmentation, trade and supply chains, fiscal and structural reforms, financial markets, development finance, investment, technology and artificial intelligence, employment and skills, demographic change, food systems, sustainability and climate finance. Senior participants included Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; Shri Shaktikanta Das, Principal Secretary-2 to the Prime Minister and former RBI Governor; RBI Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra; Smt. Anuradha Thakur, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs; Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser; and international economists including Lord Nicholas Stern, Professor Michael Greenstone, and Jean-Claude Trichet, former President of the European Central Bank.