India's rise unstoppable, led by youth and tech, says VP Jagdeep Dhankhar

Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday declared India's rise on the global stage as "unstoppable, incremental, and continual," emphasising the country's young population and technological advancements.

Addressing the Indian School of Business (ISB) Leadership Summit 2024, Dhankhar highlighted India's youth demographic dividend as the "fuel to our growth engine" and a "significant stakeholder in governance and democracy."

He pointed to the country's economic transformation, noting that foreign exchange reserves have soared from $1 billion in 1989 to over $700 billion today.

Dhankhar lauded India's technological advancements, stating that the World Bank sees India as a "global role model" in digitalisation. He credited digital technologies for enabling "massive public infrastructure projects" benefiting millions in areas like housing, healthcare, and small business loans.

The Vice President emphasised India's growing influence, stating, "We are no longer a nation with promise; the promise has been realised." He positioned India as a nation that can "legitimately address issues confronting the world."

Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Chairman of ISB's Mohali Campus Advisory Board, echoed the focus on technology, highlighting India's potential leadership in AI, semiconductors, and space.

He said, "I firmly believe that technology is an area where India is going to play a significant role in the coming decades. 

Madan Pillutla, Dean of ISB, emphasised the vital role of leadership in addressing global challenges. “Leaders make a big difference in the world. In fact, the shortage of leadership in different parts of the world is what leads to a lot of different problems."

"At ISB, we are committed to nurturing leaders who can make a positive impact," he added.