Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday emphasized that India cannot afford to remain a passive spectator as geopolitical conflicts, sanctions, and tariffs continue to reshape global supply chains. Speaking at the inauguration of the Kautilya Economic Conclave 2025 in New Delhi, she said that India’s economy has shown remarkable resilience in the face of disruptions, but it must play a proactive role to secure its future.
Sitharaman highlighted how global uncertainty is redefining economic relationships. According to her, tensions and disruptions are reshaping trade flows and alliances, forcing countries to rethink their strategies. She stressed that India has demonstrated both vulnerability and strength during these shifts, pointing out that the nation’s ability to absorb shocks remains firm, even as its economic leverage grows stronger.
She added that the choices India makes now will determine whether its resilience becomes a stepping stone toward leadership or remains only a defense against global unpredictability. “Our choices will determine whether resilience becomes a foundation for leadership or merely a buffer against uncertainty,” she remarked, underlining the importance of strategic decision-making in shaping India’s global role.
Reflecting on the fractured nature of the current world order, Sitharaman said that such fragmentation can also create opportunities if viewed with the right mindset. “History teaches us that crises often precede renewal. The fragmentation we see today may give rise to more sustainable and unforeseen forms of cooperation,” she noted, suggesting that India and other nations should seek innovative partnerships even in challenging times.
At the same time, the finance minister stressed the importance of fairness and inclusion in building new forms of international economic cooperation. She pointed out that for developing countries, inclusive growth and equal participation are not simply ideals but necessities that must guide future collaboration. “The challenge is to ensure that inclusive principles shape cooperation. For developing countries, this is a necessity, not just a romantic aspiration,” she said.
Sitharaman also urged emerging economies to adopt a more assertive stance in influencing global economic decisions. She observed that decisions made elsewhere often determine the destinies of developing nations, and therefore, it is vital for them to participate actively in shaping outcomes, while at the same time preserving their own autonomy.
Her message was clear: India has the resilience and capacity to withstand shocks, but it cannot remain on the sidelines. To secure its long-term interests and strengthen its leadership position, India must actively engage in reshaping the global economic order. The minister’s remarks also served as a reminder that crises, though disruptive, often present the seeds of renewal and cooperation, provided nations are willing to seize the opportunity.
As the conclave unfolded, her statements underscored a vision where India not only defends itself against global turbulence but also asserts its role as a leader, guiding a more inclusive and balanced international order.
