India has transitioned from "fragile five to top five" economies, owing to the reforms undertaken by the government over the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
India is dominating the digital payments system with world's 50% digital transaction happening in India
The Prime Minister lauded India's growth in the artificial intelligence space and said that Google's $15 billion investment marks a milestone in its growth.
"India clearly is the economic superpower. For the first time in 100 years, cricket is going to be a sport in the Olympics in 2028. This is because of India. But more broadly, the economy is growing very fast", said Rishi Sunak
Sunak highlighted that the old world order, in the context of the Berlin Wall Fall and the end of Bipolarity, will not be repeated and that the world is going to be multipolar.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya highlighted the importance of risk in renewal and progress and called it the "first step" in that direction. Though she warned against romanticising risk "as the only impetus for change."
On growing racial attacks against Indians in Australia, Tony Abbott said, "There are two issues here. Is the immigration to Australia too high? We have had absolutely high record numbers throughout the year."
Abott Scrutinized Trump's decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian exports, said he "misplayed his hand".
PM Modi guaranteed the citizens of the country and NDTV audience that India will be a Mao and Naxal terror free country soon. "In the past 75 hours, 303 Naxalites have surrendered", he added.
Prime Minister Modi spoke over Naxalite and Maoist terrorism and said that the number of districts with Naxalites and Maoists have shrunk to merely 3 from 123 in the past 11 years. "In the past 75 hours, 303 Naxalites have surrendered", he added.
India has transitioned from "fragile five to top five" economies, owing to the reforms undertaken by the government over the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, while speaking at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi on Friday.
PM Modi hailed income tax and GST reforms and said that a saving of Rs 2.5 lakh crore is guaranteed with these in place. He added that because of GST sales have broken all the past records.
"India is among top five countries which has their own 4g stack", the Prime Minister said while highlighting that these network reach the remotest forests of the country.
"Petrol pumps are open 24/7 now without hinderance, we are building over alternative fuels and electric mobility", Modi said.
Centralisation of bank during Indira Gandhi was done under false pretense of welfare of the poor.
India has proved everyone wrong. Today, world's 50% digital transaction happens in India. India's UPI dominates global digital payments. India performed better than every estimate. This is India's mood today," PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister lauded India's growth in the artificial intelligence space and said that Google's $15 billion investment marks a milestone in its growth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected back at the past 11 years of India's journey and said that it has, "extinguished every doubt, conquered every challenge."
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi wished everyone an auspicious Diwali in the introduction of his address.
CEO and Editor-in-Chief at NDTV addressed the gathering at the World Summit 2025, he thanked PM Narendra for various decisions like the GST rate cuts and welcomed him to take the stage.
India is Sri Lanka's largest trading partner and largest source of tourism, Amarasuriya said. She also talked about Sri Lanka's investments into India's apparel industry.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya highlighted the importance of risk in renewal and progress and called it the "first step" in that direction. Though she warned against romanticising risk "as the only impetus for change."
"India clearly is the economic superpower. For the first time in 100 years, cricket is going to be a sport in the Olympics in 2028. This is because of India. But more broadly, the economy is growing very fast. A couple of things stand out to me - technology and energy. As PM Modi reminds me, India has just about surpassed the UK in terms of the number of Unicorns," Sunak said.
Sunak highlighted that the old world order, in the context of the Berlin Wall Fall and the end of Bipolarity, will not be repeated and that the world is going to be multipolar.
"Telephone, electricity and other tech took decades, ChatGPT took just two months to reach the 100 million user mark," said Rishi Sunak on technology making leaps.
He said that while there are certain drawbacks to AI, his bias lies towards being pro-innovation.
"Great to see the trade deal being signed - something that I had started. There are two things that the trade deal signifies. In a world that is becoming more protectionist, the deal sends a positive signal. And it tells business and civil societies that relationship matters," Sunak stated.
Talking about his love and passion for cricket, Former UK PM Rishi Sunak said that although he cheers for England during matches, India has a big place in his heart. "Rahul Dravid was my favorite player growing up", he said and while sharing that he is also an RCB fan.
The ex PM said that though he is "perfectly happy" being in the UK Parliament, India means an enormous amount to him.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu said that she only did her hit number Oo Antava to see if she could, called it a "one-time thing".
"My separation, illness, everything has been very, very public. You are constantly judged for being vulnerable," Samantha said while talking about being judged for being vulnerable.
Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu said being more authentic, vulnerable, and a "little more yourself" in the film industry is "the need of the hour". "We tried the route to perfectionism, and it does not work", she stated.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu will soon take centre stage to speak on "Authenticity: The New Fame".
The MD and Chairman of Raymond group said that they are bringing back cars and their histories with car restoration business.
When asked about whether the car enthusiast drives EVs he said that he does "not think about them". The Managing Director and Chairman added that he thinks that EVs have been "politically hyped" and compared them with the toy cars he owned as a kid.
Gautam Singhania, MD Raymond Group said that the company will not operate in the US because it does not want to deal with uncertainty.
Raymond Group Managing Director Gautam Singhania contradicted claims of Raymond being a 'luxury' company and said that they "are in the belly of the market".
"I think the one thing that I am mindful of how responsible this job is in terms of where Indian cricket goes. One thing I would certainly want to do as a selector when I do finish my term, leave the team in a nice pace for the next guy to come in", Agarkar said.
Former all-rounder and now BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explains why his role is the most challenging of his career. He said, "Playing gives you the most satisfaction. Everytime you step on the field, you know your job is on the line. One thing that goes for you as a player is that the ball or bat is in your hand. As a selector, once you pick a squad of 15, there is nothing else in your hand. It is a challenging, hectic, high-demand job. You can't please everyone."
At the NDTV World Summit 2025, Sachin Jain, Regional CEO, World Gold Council, said, "Today, we have a very diverse usage of gold. About 74% of the annual usage of gold is consumed by developing markets- China, India, Middle East. About 20% of annual consumption comes from central banks, and nations who are making strength. About 33% of consumptions comes from jewellery.
"About 7% consumption comes from technology. In today's world, where geopolitics is evolving, nations are behaving differently. We will be looking at a future where gold will be a fundamental of this growth, Jain added.
NDTV World Summit resumes after lunch with Sachin Jain, Regional CEO, World Gold Council set to speak on 'The Timeless Hedge: Gold in the Age of Flux'.
Vikram Rai lauded the UDAN scheme saying that it has been the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where a 'hawai chappal'-wearing citizen can even fly. He added that he felt great when his house help said she is going on a vacation on a plane.
"India will receive one aircraft every week. With every new aircraft comes a new responsibility," Vikram Rai said.
Vikram Rai is a seasoned business leader with nearly two decades of experience in the civil aerospace sector (airlines and airports). Before joining GE, he served as General Manager at Rolls-Royce and began his career at the start-up HBE-Aviosec.
On growing racial attacks against Indians in Australia, Abbott said, "There are two issues here. Is the immigration to Australia too high? We have had absolutely high record numbers throughout the year. Does immigration need to be scaled back? The other issue is crime. Melbourne has a crime problem. There are gangs out of control. The Victorian police are working on this. It is about time that the police once again take control of the streets."
Ex-Australian PM Tony Abbott said, "India is a counterweight to China. It is now the most populous country. When you go to any Indian city, there is a massive infrastructure push. There are new airports, and so on. India is rising and can be a substitute for China. The 21st century belongs to India just as much as it belongs to China."
"China's leadership is a party dictatorship, not a personal dictatorship. As Prime Minister, I used to say that India would emerge as a democratic superpower. Well, now that has happened. The Prime Minister of India is likely to be a leader of the free world in the next 40 to 50 years."
Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal said the world's best reserve, that is gold, is in India. Not just gold but the best reserve of diamond is also in India.
He also spoke about India's rich natural resources, and said, "The only way to move forward is to produce your own."
Anil Agarwal spoke about India's growing global significance, stating, "Today, nothing can happen without India's presence." He said the importance of self-sufficiency, particularly in natural resources, saying, "The only way to move forward is to produce your own gas, copper, silver - anything you talk about is 'below the ground'."
While noting that India currently fulfills half of its silver requirements, Agarwal stressed the need for collective effort to propel the country forward, urging, "Big boys have to come with one target - how can we take our India forward?"
#NDTVWorldSummit | "We have to be patient, India will reap the benefits" : Anil Agarwal (@AnilAgarwal_Ved), Chairman & Founder, Vedanta@TamannaInamdar #NDTVWorldSummit2025 pic.twitter.com/nDIDq8L1zk
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 17, 2025
Anil Agarwal, Chairman and Founder of Vedanta, will be speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025 on "Building Bharat: Purpose, Profit, Planet".
"I am just a boy from Bihar who didn't know anything. Khali tamannayein thi ki kuch karna hai (I just had a wish to do something). I never sat on a plane or a double-decker bus. These were all dreams. I am originally from Rajasthan who later moved to Bihar," Vedanta founder Anil Agarwal said.
Australian Minister Anne Aly MP said, "Indian migrants were among the first to call Australia home, making immense contributions to various sectors. Our language reflects this connection, with Hindi and Sanskrit words being adapted into English." She also shared her experience visiting Rajghat in Delhi, where she paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, describing him as a giant who embodied values that are essential to protect today.
The next guest is Australian Minister for Small Business, International Development and Multicultural Affairs Dr Anne Aly MP, who will speak on "How Multiculturalism Shapes the World".
"Australia has a strong and enduring relationship with India. The relationship is based on the foundation of respect and trust between our people and one that will continue to grow, despite some challenges," Australian Minister Anne Aly MP said.
#NDTVWorldSummit | "Australia cherishes Indian-Australians as an integral part of the success of our multicultural society" : Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Small Business, International Development and Multicultural Affairs, Australia#NDTVWorldSummit2025 pic.twitter.com/T01a6jc4MY
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 17, 2025
British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron shared her interest in Bollywood. "I went to YRF studios and saw romantics, and also heard the DDLJ theme song. I am looking forward to seeing actor Shah Rukh Khan in London. Three new Bollywood films are going to be shot in the UK."
Ambassador Dr. Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India emphasised on Europe's anxiety regarding the conflict. "We look at Ukraine with great concern," he said, citing a recent "wake up call" when likely Russian jets entered NATO territory.
He reiterated that Europe "is under threat," but is motivated by a strong "desire and an urge to end the war," rather than feeling "exhaustion or fatigue."
#NDTVWorldSummit | "We look at Ukraine with great concern. We had a wake up call 2-3 weeks ago when likely Russian jets entered NATO territory. Europe is under threat. We don't feel exhaustion or fatigue, we feel desire and urge to end the war" : Dr Philipp Ackermann… pic.twitter.com/AkaYtP0Az5
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 17, 2025
"I am hopeful that we will see peace," stated Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India. She said that the release of hostages brought a "profound sense of relief," but cautioned that "the challenge will be in implementation."
British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron and German Ambassador to India Dr Philipp Ackermann speak on "Across the Faultlines: Crafting the Next World Order
Nitin Mittal said instead of worrying about AI, one should worry about co-workers. "Those who are displaying curiosity to continuously improve," he said.
#NDTVWorldSummit | "More than worrying about AI, worry about co-workers. Those who are displaying curiosity to continuously improve" : Nitin Mittal, Deloitte Principal, Global AI Leader, Author of WSJ Bestseller, All-in on AI @aayush_a6 #NDTVWorldSummit2025 pic.twitter.com/pyRYtkzH2B
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 17, 2025
"Sophisticated AI programs or models that have agency and have the ability to mimic humans cognitive type functions - ability to think, to reason, to judge, and to act" : Nitin Mittal, Deloitte Principal, Global AI Leader.
#NDTVWorldSummit | "Sophisticated AI programs or models that have agency and have the ability to mimic humans cognitive type functions - ability to think, to reason, to judge, and to act" : Nitin Mittal, Deloitte Principal, Global AI Leader, Author of WSJ Bestseller, All-in on AI… pic.twitter.com/pVHKa1nTIs
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 17, 2025
Mittal says that he has not come across a single job lost to AI. "Coding is a perfect example. The jobs that get impact are the ones done by a human being -- white coding. Agentic AI in particular, and in the near future, physical AI, will have impact on jobs. But I have not come across a single job that has been lost to AI," Mittal said.
Nitin Mittal, Global AI Leader, Author of WSJ Bestseller All in on AI discusses Agentic AI, which refers to autonomous AI systems capable of setting their own goals, planning, and taking action with minimal human intervention. He's also emphasises the significance of sovereign AI in preserving not only data but also culture and language.
#NDTVWorldSummit | She codes. She dances. She redefines creativity.
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 17, 2025
Dr Merritt Moore - quantum physicist and ballerina - performs a stunning human-robot duet at the #NDTVWorldSummit2025 pic.twitter.com/eSx346MGnT
#NDTVWorldSummit | "I started dancing with robots after Covid-19 pandemic, when I could not dance with humans" : Dr Merritt Moore speaks at the #NDTVWorldSummit, shares how the robot was her companion during the pandemic pic.twitter.com/5h0couUOYw
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 17, 2025
Moore opened the session by discussing her approach to work-life balance, talking about her profound connection to ballet. She declared, "Ballet is my oxygen," saying that she "cannot retire from ballet" and noting that her college grades suffered whenever she stopped dancing. She asserted that it should be possible for people to simultaneously explore both the technological and artistic sides of the brain.
The first guest at the NDTV World Summit 2025 is Dr Merritt Moore, a scientist who splits her time between physics labs and ballet studios.
Dr Moore is talking on how artificial intelligence (AI) and human intelligence can co-create the future, and why emotional creativity might just be humanity's next big advantage.
"Ballet is my oxygen, college grades would go down when i stopped dancing" : Dr Merritt Moore speaks at the #NDTVWorldSummit2025#NDTVWorldSummit pic.twitter.com/IVRzNrxgf0
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 17, 2025
Tune in to the NDTV network to witness the world leaders, visionaries & changemakers gather at the NDTV World Summit. We will go live very soon
#InPics | Tune in to the NDTV network to witness the world leaders, visionaries & changemakers gather at the #NDTVWorldSummit pic.twitter.com/prHem2gzjM
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 17, 2025
The NDTV World Summit begins today. We have put together a terrific line-up of speakers and sessions. Look forward to hosting you, if you are attending. The 2 day event will be streaming live across NDTV TV and digital platforms. The Summit starts at 10 am, posts Shiv Aroor on X.
The stage is set for global dialogue at the #NDTVWorldSummit - tune in at 10 AM to witness a powerful gathering of world leaders and changemakers@ShivAroor pic.twitter.com/D2fou8NhXb
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 17, 2025
The theme of NDTV World Summit is "Risk, Resolve, Renewal - Exploring the Edge of the Unknown,". The summit brings together two serving and two former prime ministers, including India's Narendra Modi, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, and former UK PM Rishi Sunak.
The stage is set for the NDTV World Summit 2025, India's biggest media platform, hosting a historic gathering of world leaders at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Key speakers at the event include PM Modi, Rishi Sunak, Gautam Singhania, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Anil Agarwal and Ajit Agarkar.
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