Fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave Concludes in New Delhi
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 October 3–5, 2026 in New Delhi under the theme 'Resilience in an Age of Flux.' The three-day conclave brought together more than 200 policymakers, economists, academics, financial experts and international thought leaders, including over 80 international participants from approximately 30 countries, for high-level discussions on contemporary economic and policy challenges.
Inauguration and Key Themes
The Conclave was inaugurated on October 3, 2026 by Vice-President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, who emphasized that economic resilience cannot be separated from social resilience and highlighted inclusion as a foundation of resilience in a rapidly changing world. Discussions centered on building resilience while sustaining growth, openness and institutional credibility amid recurrent global shocks and uncertainty. The conclave examined challenges and opportunities arising from global economic and geopolitical shifts.
Key Sessions and Speakers
A Special Plenary on 'Resilience in an Age of Flux: India's Economic Priorities' was addressed by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs 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.
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, delivered the keynote address on 'Connected India, Empowered Finance: Building Trusted Digital Infrastructure for the AI Economy,' examining how digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and new communication networks can contribute to productivity and economic transformation.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, delivered the keynote address on 'Culture as Capital: From Heritage to Horizons,' examining the role of cultural capital and heritage in economic development.
The special concluding session, 'India and the World: Adaptive by Design,' was moderated by Shri N. K. Singh, President, Board of Trustees, IEG, with Dr. S. Jaishankar, Union Minister for External Affairs, delivering the special concluding address and Mr. George Yeo, former Foreign Minister of Singapore, as discussant. The session examined India's strategic autonomy, partnerships and ability to respond flexibly to global challenges.
Participants and Scope
The Conclave featured participation from senior policymakers including Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; Shri Shaktikanta Das, Principal Secretary-2 to the Prime Minister and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India; Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Governor, Reserve Bank of India; Smt. Anuradha Thakur, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs; and Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser. International participants included Lord Nicholas Stern, Professor Michael Greenstone, and Jean-Claude Trichet, former President of the European Central Bank.
Discussions covered a broad range of contemporary economic issues including 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.
Historical Context and Significance
This was the fifth edition of the conclave, with previous editions held under themes 'Redefining the Future' (2022), 'Navigating a World on Fire' (2023), 'The Indian Era' (2024) and 'Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times' (2025). The conclave serves as a bridge between scholarship, policymaking and global perspectives, jointly convened by the Institute of Economic Growth and the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.