At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Indian business leaders positioned artificial intelligence, strategic trade partnerships, and comprehensive economic reforms as fundamental pillars for India's future growth trajectory. The discussions reflected both immediate market stabilization and long-term strategic opportunities for the Indian economy.

Market Stabilization and Geopolitical Developments

Rajiv Memani, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), reported that global markets experienced stabilization following Trump's withdrawal of the proposed 10% tariff over Greenland. Speaking to CNBC-TV18's Shereen Bhan, Memani observed that this development significantly eased investor concerns. "People for the moment are happy that this is not going to become a big flashpoint," he stated, noting that geopolitical uncertainty dominated forum discussions.

AI Emerges as Central Business Priority

Artificial intelligence applications featured prominently across private business meetings at the forum. Memani emphasized the technology's growing importance in strategic planning discussions. "If you walk through the promenade on one-to-one meetings, I think AI was the big thing, and how the application of AI is becoming more and more important," he explained. This sentiment was echoed by healthcare sector leaders who view AI integration as inevitable for business operations.

Strategic Trade Partnerships and Market Access

The India-EU Free Trade Agreement emerged as a significant opportunity for market expansion and investment attraction. Memani highlighted the agreement's potential impact on accessing European markets.

Regarding US trade relations, Memani noted that while timelines remain uncertain, Trump has indicated that a "good deal" remains possible between the two countries.

Domestic Policy and Budget Recommendations

For Budget 2026, Memani advocated for accelerated reforms focused on strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities. His recommendations included a comprehensive disinvestment strategy to generate substantial government revenues.

Healthcare Sector Challenges and Opportunities

Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, addressed critical healthcare sector issues, particularly regarding tax structure complexities. She characterized India's goods and services tax structure for healthcare as "complicated" and indicated it may not feature prominently in upcoming budget discussions.

Reddy emphasized AI's mainstream adoption in healthcare operations, stating "AI is mainstream. There's no walking away from AI." She stressed the urgent need for workforce reskilling to accommodate technological advancement. Additionally, she identified preventive healthcare as a crucial investment area, warning that non-communicable diseases could potentially cost India $4.00 trillion. The medical manufacturing sector presents significant opportunities, with India positioned to supply emerging markets at scale and reduced costs compared to traditional suppliers.

Trump is set to hold an exclusive meeting with select global business leaders on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, marking a significant moment for international corporate dialogue at the annual Swiss gathering. The reception will highlight United States policy priorities among the assembled political and corporate elites.

Indian Corporate Leadership at Davos

A notable delegation of seven prominent Indian CEOs will participate in the high-profile reception, demonstrating India's expanding influence in global corporate discussions. The confirmed Indian business leaders represent some of the country's largest and most influential companies across diverse sectors.

Global Economic Forum Context

The World Economic Forum in Davos serves as a premier platform for international business and political dialogue, attracting over 3,000 delegates from more than 130 countries. This year's gathering continues to emphasize global economic cooperation and policy coordination among world leaders and corporate executives.

The inclusion of Indian business leaders in Trump's exclusive reception reflects the country's growing economic significance and corporate influence on the global stage. These executives represent key sectors including technology services, telecommunications, automotive, financial services, and diversified industrial operations.

Strategic Corporate Engagement

The participation of these Indian CEOs in the reception underscores the strategic importance of India-US business relationships and highlights the role of Indian corporations in international economic discussions. Their presence at this exclusive gathering positions Indian business interests prominently within global policy conversations taking place at Davos.

The meeting represents an opportunity for direct engagement between Indian corporate leadership and US policy priorities, potentially influencing future bilateral business and economic cooperation frameworks.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/n-chandrasekaran-salil-parekh-5-other-indian-ceos-to-be-part-of-trump-reception-at-davos-13781390.html