India stands at a rare economic inflection point, says Kumar Mangalam Birla

Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla on Thursday said India is entering a defining phase in its economic journey and is well placed to deliver strong growth despite global uncertainty and geopolitical risks. Speaking at the public valedictory function of the RSS Karyakarta Vikas Varg-Dwitiya in Nagpur, he said the country is benefiting from a rare mix of demographic strength, infrastructure expansion, digital transformation and financial-sector growth.

Birla said India has already emerged as the world’s sixth-largest economy and is moving forward with strong momentum. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Amrit Kaal” vision, he said the current period could prove transformational for the country’s long-term development.

He said the combination of demographic dividends, economic tailwinds, infrastructure build-out, digital rails and financial services growth has created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for India. “Even though these are challenging times, this is India’s moment,” he said.

Birla also flagged the difficult global backdrop, pointing to volatile energy prices, supply-chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions. He said the world is being shaped by the competing ambitions of major powers, creating uncertainty across international markets. He added that crude prices have swung sharply over the past three years, while supply chains have once again come under pressure.

AI and the next shift

Birla said artificial intelligence is one of the most important technology shifts of the era. “AI has arrived right at our doorstep,” he said, adding that the technology is set to transform economies and affect far more people than earlier innovations.

He said the AI wave will reshape business models, productivity and long-term growth patterns, making it a major force for companies and policymakers to watch. His remarks came at a time when global business leaders are adjusting to rapid technological change alongside geopolitical and economic volatility.

India’s opportunity

Birla’s comments underline a broader view in corporate India that the country is better placed than most peers to absorb external shocks. His message was that India should treat the current environment not as a setback, but as a window to deepen its economic strength and global standing.