Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Inaugurates Kautilya Economic Conclave 2025

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the fourth Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2025) on October 3 in New Delhi. The event, themed "Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times," will run for three days at the Taj Palace, concluding with Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar sharing insights on India's foreign and economic policies.

"The 4th edition gives me the confidence that Indian policy making is guided by a good churn at the conclave, and the outcomes have not only helped us in policy making but also in holding global conferences. The G20 of 2023 stands out as a classic example," said Nirmala Sitharaman at the inauguration ceremony on Friday.

The Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, organises this conclave. It aims to unite global policymakers, economists, and thought leaders from over 30 countries, including 75 international participants. The focus is on addressing current economic challenges while aligning India's growth goals with global perspectives.

Key Sessions and Discussions

A notable session titled "Communications: Emerging Technologies" will be led by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. This session will delve into AI and digital infrastructure advancements. Another important discussion, chaired by P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will assess global macroeconomic stability and financial governance reforms.

The agenda also includes discussions on Asia's role as a global growth hub, the evolving BRICS framework, financial stability, and industrial policy. Distinguished international speakers such as Jean-Claude Trichet, Honorary Governor of the Banque de France, will discuss central banking challenges with RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.

Legal Reforms and Other Panels
Legal experts like Larry Kramer from the London School of Economics and Harish Salve, Senior Advocate and former Solicitor General of India, will examine legal reforms to support growth. This session is chaired by Shaktikanta Das, Principal Secretary-II to the Prime Minister. Other panels will address universal healthcare, youth employment, urbanization, trade, regional integration, and emerging technologies.

The KEC was initiated in 2022 by IEG under N. K. Singh's leadership as a premier platform for cross-border dialogue. Previous editions focused on redefining the future (2022), navigating global turbulence (2023), and India's rising global role (2024). This year's conclave promises interactive formats and networking opportunities to foster solution-driven exchanges.