The Union Budget set the direction for the 2047 vision. Now is the time to straighten the trajectory.

At the high-level policy discussion convened by The Secretariat, in collaboration with Chintan Research Foundation (CRF), senior policymakers and industry leaders got together to deliberate on India's long-term economic trajectory and the strategic imperative leading up to Mission 2047 (Viksit Bharat).

The two-part session on India's Growth Story Beyond The Budget: Navigating Mission 2047, held today (February 18) at Juniper Hall, India Habitat Centre, featured policy dialogue by Davinder Sandhu, Chairman, Primus Partners; Prabir De, Professor, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS); Rahul Ahluwalia, Founder-Director, Foundation For Economic Development; and Sanjeev Ahluwalia, Distinguished Fellow, CRF. This was followed by expert presentations, panel deliberations, and interactive Q&A sessions.

Inclusive Growth

From inclusive growth to citizen-centric development and the recent flurry of free trade agreements (FTAs) amid the tariff turmoil, the policy leaders shed light on the responsiveness of the economy amid global uncertainties. 

"There is a certain stability in macroeconomic fundamentals," says Sandhu. The private sector is not responding as it should, he points out, highlighting that it is capex that is doing the heavy lifting.

The macroeconomics is stable, we are building infrastructure, and we are shifting our focus from an annual approach to a long-term approach

— Davinder Sandhu, Chairman, Primus Partners

Meanwhile, Rahul Ahluwalia, pointing out the fact that India is an export-driven country, said, "It is really important to understand where faster growth comes from." 

Growth is not touching every Indian

— Rahul Ahluwalia, Founder-Director, Foundation For Economic Development

The strategic imperative for Viksit Bharat focuses on economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance. But the real test lies in State-level execution.

We talk about Viksit Bharat, but how many States are following it?

— Prabir De, Professor, RIS

Weighing growth targets entails not just comprehensive policy frameworks, but the engagement of various stakeholders from across sectors and institutions. It is crucial for various stakeholders to come together to discuss the course of future growth, industry experts underscore. 

Whether it be the initiatives led by institutions or non-state actors, we need to introspect and figure out what everyone needs to do for India's growth

— Sanjeev Ahluwalia, Distinguished Fellow, CRF

(The policy discussion was organised by The Secretariat in collaboration with the Chintan Research Foundation.)