India is emerging as one of the world's major forces in artificial intelligence, backed by strong reforms, digital public infrastructure and a skilled technology workforce, said Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, in an interview with NDTV Profit at the World Economic Forum.
Responding to a question that referenced comments by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Georgieva said the IMF holds India in high regard for the pace and quality of its recent economic reforms. "Let me put the record straight," she said, adding that the Fund believes India's prospects in AI are "remarkable."
She pointed to India's rapidly built digital public infrastructure and deep pool of IT-skilled labour as key strengths. According to the IMF's assessment, artificial intelligence could boost global growth by up to 0.8 percentage points, with dynamic economies like India standing to gain even more. "India is a very dynamic economy already, and with AI, it would be even more so," Georgieva said, praising India's approach to staying competitive while charting its own path on AI development.
A "Bright Spot" On A Cloudy Horizon
Georgieva confirmed she will travel to India next month for the AI summit, saying she was "very, very excited" about the visit. Reiterating the IMF's broader macro view, she described India as "a bright spot on a somewhat cloudy global economic horizon," and said she looked forward to seeing first-hand how the country is progressing.
On the wider global backdrop, Georgieva acknowledged that recent easing of certain geopolitical risks-particularly around tariffs-had buoyed markets. However, she cautioned that uncertainty remains high, driven by geopolitics and rapid technological change.
While expectations from AI are significant, she warned of risks if those expectations fail to materialise, especially for financial markets. In such an environment, she said, countries must focus on strong economic fundamentals. "Make sure that your own house is in full order," Georgieva advised, adding that India's policy focus in this regard is admirable.
ALSO READ: Trump's Tariffs Do Bite — When He Actually Imposes Them
Watch LIVE TV, Get Stock Market Updates, Top Business, IPO and Latest News on NDTV Profit.