Top News

New Delhi: “The need for quality talent is universal. India is the only nation equipped to answer that call at scale and with humility.” With this clear and confident assertion, Ramu Rao Jupally, Executive Vice Chairman of My Home Group, established the tenor at the What India Thinks Today (WITT) Summit 2026 in the national capital.

The grand thought fest opened on Monday with this year’s theme, ‘India And The World’. As in previous editions, the TV9 Summit again brings together policymakers, business leaders, and global thinkers to map India’s rising global influence and future growth pathways.

The keynote address was delivered by PM Modi on Monday evening. This marked the Prime Minister’s third consecutive keynote at TV9 Network’s flagship summit, underscoring the platform’s growing relevance in shaping national and global discourses.

At a time when the world is grappling with economic uncertainty, Jupally offered a measured yet optimistic view of India’s position. He described the current global landscape as a “poly-crisis” that has unsettled economies across regions. Yet, he noted, India continues to stand out “as a beacon of resolve, resilience and resolution”.

A world looking towards India

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s oft-repeated view, Jupally said the world’s growing confidence in India stems from its “democracy, demography, and diversity”. “The world is looking at India’s youth with hope and confidence,” he said.

He pointed out that India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy while continuing to grow at around 7 per cent annually. At a time when major economies are slowing down, this steady pace of growth places India in a distinct position.

Jupally also hailed the policy push in recent years that has improved ease of doing business and the ease of living, strengthening India’s economic fundamentals and enhancing its global standing.

The talent advantage

The core of Jupally’s address revolved around India’s growing role as a global talent hub. With countries from Germany to Canada and the diversifying economies of the Gulf facing a shortage of skilled manpower, he said India is uniquely placed to step in.

“The need for quality talent is universal. India is the only nation equipped to answer that call at scale. And with humility,” he averred.

He outlined what he described as “seven pillars” behind this advantage. These include India’s young population, strong English language proficiency, and a consistent supply of STEM graduates. Together, he said, these factors position India as a key contributor to global innovation and workforce needs.

Jupally then drew attention to India’s digital public infrastructure as a defining strength. Calling it a “global case study”, he said it has enabled a generation that is comfortable with data and technology, reinforcing a broader shift towards a technology-first mindset.

He added that today’s Indian professional is more adaptable and globally aware than ever. Underlining the global aspirations of the Indian youth, he noted that the “Indian professional today sees the world as their canvas”.

More than just numbers

Beyond technical prowess, Jupally asserted that India’s emotional quotient offers it a decisive edge that enables its workforce to handle complexity, absorb pressure and still deliver with clarity. “[It helps Indian talent [with] the capability to navigate conflict and chaos with relative ease,” he contended.

And thanks to these seven unique attributes of India’s talented workforce, the world’s most influential voices are now betting on the Indian mind, said Jupally, highlighting the historic finalisation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, when the world’s most influential leaders echoed this sentiment.

“As a second-generation entrepreneur, I see this shift every day,” he observed, adding that “a billion-plus Indians like me see the rise of a new India under the Prime Minister.”

A moment to seize

Looking ahead, Jupally argued that India’s most valuable export in the coming years will not just be goods or services, but “intellect, imagination, integrity and impact”.

He called for a collective effort to build on this momentum and position India as the global talent capital in an era of borderless work. The coming decade, he suggested, will be crucial in shaping this trajectory.

Ending on a note of urgency and optimism, he invoked the Prime Minister’s words from the famed Independence Day address. “Yahi samay hai, sahi samay hai… Bharat ka anmol samay hai [This is the time, the right time… it is India’s precious time],” he concluded.

The message is unambiguous: India is no longer on the margins of the global conversation. It is stepping into the centre stage. And the time to seize the moment is NOW.