NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026 Live: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Set To Address Shortly

Speaking at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Chairman Raamdeo Agrawal said currency movements remain a key risk for investors to monitor. He said he is looking at private companies with a global outlook and described this as an exciting period for startups and quick commerce. Agrawal added that the expansion of quick commerce is likely to support consumption.

AU Small Finance Bank MD and CEO Sanjay Agarwal said the lender's balance sheet has grown 20-fold over the past 10 years. He added that the first quarter of FY27 has been one of the bank's strongest in the past decade, while cautioning that the crisis in West Asia could affect some sectors of the economy.

Sanjay Agarwal said India needs more banks like HDFC Bank. He made the remark while discussing the country's banking landscape and the role of strong institutions in supporting long-term economic growth.

AU Small Finance Bank MD and CEO Sanjay Agarwal said the goal is to build a bank that endures over the long term, adding that private enterprises should be built with efficiency and that leaders must think beyond personal gains.

AU Small Finance Bank MD and CEO Sanjay Agarwal outlined the lender's long-term ambition, saying it aims to be among India's top three private sector banks by 2047.

Speaking during the fireside chat, AU Small Finance Bank CEO and MD Sanjay Agarwal said building a business in India requires capable leadership backed by accountability and honesty. He said these values remain essential for creating and sustaining a successful enterprise.

Speaking during the fireside chat, AU Small Finance Bank CEO and MD Sanjay Agarwal said the institution began as a non-banking financial company in 2008 and has since grown into India's largest small finance bank. He outlined the lender's growth journey as the conversation with NDTV Profit Managing Editor Tamanna Inamdar got underway.

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Speaking during the Leadership Dialogue, investor Ramesh Damani urged investors to remain bullish and stay invested for the long term. He said the power of compounding is one of the biggest advantages of long-term investing and described the longevity of returns as an extraordinary driver of wealth creation.

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Speaking during the Leadership Dialogue, Jayant Sinha said India should aim to increase investment to 40% of its gross domestic product to support long-term economic growth. He said higher investment would be important as the country positions itself alongside major global economic and investment trends.

Market expert Ramesh Damani said India cannot achieve an 8% growth rate without sustained foreign investment. He said foreign direct investment is increasingly flowing into sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence. Damani also said the US market appears to be nearing its peak, while noting that China continues to remain ahead of India in several areas.

Jayant Sinha said India should position itself alongside long-term global trends in an age of disruption. He said the country must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and China, while remaining focused on major investment themes that will shape future economic growth.

Speaking during the Leadership Dialogue, investor Ramesh Damani said India's demographic profile and economic fundamentals remain supportive of long-term growth. He added that sectors less exposed to artificial intelligence could perform well in the years ahead.

Mahindra Group CEO and MD Anish Shah said organisations should foster a culture of empowerment to navigate change. He said markets have been demanding on companies, but corporates have responded well to successive disruptions. Shah added that India remains well placed despite the evolving global environment.

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Speaking during the Leadership Dialogue, Jayant Sinha said businesses and investors are operating in an age of disruption as major market forces continue to shift. He said macroeconomic trends are driving investment decisions and stressed the importance of being on the right side of these long-term forces. Sinha added that investors should remain mindful of broad investment trends, describing them as largely predictable over time.

During the Leadership Dialogue, investor Ramesh Damani said this is the right time to invest for those with a long-term perspective. Calling the market "a volatile beast", he said investors need the right temperament to navigate fluctuations and stay focused on long-term wealth creation.

Speaking during the Leadership Dialogue, Mahindra Group CEO and MD Anish Shah said clarity of strategy helps organisations navigate periods of volatility. He said resilience is built by steering businesses through challenging times and stressed the need to foster a culture of empowerment.

The Leadership Dialogue is now underway at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. Moderated by Nisha Poddar, the panel brings together Ramesh Damani, Anish Shah, Vivek Prasad and Jayant Sinha to discuss India's economic outlook, investment opportunities, corporate leadership and the factors shaping the country's next phase of growth. Stay with us for the key takeaways from the discussion.

Prasanna Mohile of Pernod Ricard says India has become the company's largest market by volume and its second largest by value, underscoring the country's growing importance to its global business. He says India's resilient domestic demand, favourable demographics and improving ease of doing business continue to support long-term growth. Mohile adds that the consumer story has moved beyond aspiration, with greater focus on value and premium products.

He says Pernod Ricard is investing in local innovation, strengthening manufacturing capabilities and aligning its strategy with the government's Make in India initiative.

The opening remarks are underway at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. Pernod Ricard says India continues to stand out amid global economic uncertainty, supported by resilient domestic demand and an improving business environment. Ricard also points to the emergence of new consumption categories and says its own journey in the country has been closely linked to India's economic growth. Stay with us for more updates as the ceremony gets underway.

The ceremony is set to begin shortly. Stay with NDTV Profit for live updates, key moments, speeches and the complete list of winners as they are announced.

Companies that have delivered sustained value to shareholders are in contention for the Wealth Creator of the Year award. The category includes businesses from financial markets, manufacturing and specialty chemicals.

Artificial intelligence is among the key themes at this year's awards. Companies working in AI have been shortlisted for the AI Champion category, reflecting the growing role of the technology across industries.

The ceremony will present honours across categories including Business Leader of the Year, New Economy Leader, Financial Powerhouse, Wealth Creator, AI Champion and Green Champion.

The awards follow a two-stage selection process. Eligible companies were first shortlisted using financial and business performance metrics before the independent jury made the final selections.

The winners were selected by an independent jury chaired by Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises. The panel includes leaders from business, finance, law and public policy.

The venue is preparing to welcome nominees, jury members and industry leaders. The awards ceremony is expected to begin shortly, with winners to be announced across multiple categories through the evening.

India's business leaders, entrepreneurs and policymakers are gathering for the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The ceremony will recognise companies and executives across sectors after an evaluation process led by an independent jury.