Fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2026) with the theme ‘Resilience in an Age of Flux’ concludes successfully in New Delhi

Ministry of Finance Fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC

2026) with the theme ‘Resilience in an Age of Flux’ concludes successfully in New Delhi Three-day Conclave brings together policymakers, economists, academics, business leaders and international thought leaders to deliberate on resilience, global fragmentation, technology, trade and India’s economic priorities

Posted On: 10 OCT 2026 9:25PM by PIB 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 3–5 October 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 around 30 countries, for high-level discussions on contemporary economic and policy challenges.

The Conclave was inaugurated on 3rd October 2026 by the Vice-President of India, Shri C. P.

Radhakrishnan, who delivered the inaugural address. In his address, the Vice-President emphasised that economic resilience cannot be separated from social resilience, highlighting inclusion as a foundation of resilience in a rapidly changing world. He also underlined the importance of policymaking that remains grounded in ground realities and responsive to changing circumstances.Over three days, the Conclave featured plenary sessions, interactive discussions and focused roundtables examining the challenges and opportunities arising from global economic and geopolitical shifts. Discussions centred on building resilience while sustaining growth, openness and institutional credibility amid recurrent global shocks and uncertainty.

A key highlight of KEC 2026 was the Special Plenary on “Resilience in an Age of Flux: India’s Economic Priorities,” addressed by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, 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, while strengthening the foundations of long-term economic resilience.

The Conclave also brought together significant perspectives on central banking, financial stability and macroeconomic resilience. Discussions examined how monetary authorities can navigate inflation, financial fragility, capital flows and institutional credibility in an environment characterised by recurrent global shocks.

Technology and the digital economy formed another important strand of KEC 2026. Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, delivered the keynote address on “Connected India, EmpoweredFinance: Building Trusted Digital Infrastructure for the AI Economy.” The session examined how digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and new communication networks can contribute to productivity and economic transformation while maintaining trust and competition.

The Conclave also explored the intersection of culture, heritage and economic development. 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 the broader architecture of economic development.

The global dimension of the Conclave was further strengthened through discussions on India's evolving position in a changing international order. The special concluding session, “India and the World: Adaptive by Design,” was moderated by Shri N. K. Singh, President, Board of Trustees, IEG. Dr. S. Jaishankar, Union Minister for External Affairs, delivered the special concluding address, with Mr. George Yeo, former Foreign Minister of Singapore, as discussant. The session examined India's strategic autonomy, partnerships and ability to respond flexibly to an increasingly contested and uncertain global environment.The Conclave's deliberations extended across 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. These discussions brought together perspectives from India and across the world, reflecting the Conclave's objective of connecting economic scholarship with policy and global experience.

The Fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave also featured the participation of senior policymakers and leading economic thinkers, 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; Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser; Lord Nicholas Stern; Professor Michael Greenstone;

Jean-Claude Trichet, former President of the European Central Bank; and other eminent Indian and international economists, policymakers and business leaders.Since its inception in 2022, the Kautilya Economic Conclave has grown into a significant platform for dialogue on contemporary economic and policy challenges. Jointly convened by the Institute of Economic Growth and the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, the Conclave serves as a bridge between scholarship, policymaking and global perspectives.

The earlier editions were held under the themes “Redefining the Future” (2022), “Navigating a World on Fire” (2023), “The Indian Era” (2024) and “Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times” (2025). Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra, Chairman, Board of Governors, IEG, and Professor Sabyasachi Kar, Director, IEG, played key roles in guiding and organising the Conclave.The Fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue and evidence-based policymaking in navigating an increasingly complex global environment.

Under the theme “Resilience in an Age of Flux,” the Conclave highlighted the need for India and the wider global community to build institutions, policies and partnerships capable of responding to uncertainty while sustaining inclusive growth, investment, innovation and long-term development.

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