New Delhi: Former NITI Aayog CEO and ex-G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Friday emphasized that India’s vision for a Viksit Bharat is ambitious, but achieving it will require a substantial boost in infrastructure investment.
Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, Kant shared on X, “Delighted to speak on infrastructure at the Kautilya Economic Conclave. The vision for #ViksitBharat is bold & ambitious. To achieve it, we need to raise infrastructure spending from 4% to 6.5% of GDP, ensure high-quality project development, monetise assets, and mainstream instruments like InVITs and REITs.”
He added that the challenge extends beyond funding to effective execution. “Execution demands smarter planning, innovative financing, empowered institutions, and climate-resilient design. If we tackle these challenges head-on, India will not only build infrastructure but also the backbone of Viksit Bharat,” Kant noted.
The conclave, held in New Delhi, also featured Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who highlighted India’s stabilizing role in the global economy while cautioning against risks from economic imbalances and volatility. Speaking at the fourth edition of the conclave, themed “Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times,” she noted that the global order is undergoing structural changes, with trade flows, alliances, and financial systems reshaped by geopolitical shifts.
Acknowledging the pervasive uncertainty of the present, Sitharaman said, “The international order is morphing. Trade flows are being reshaped, alliances tested, investments rerouted along geopolitical lines, and shared commitments re-examined.”
Stressing the value of dialogue during the three-day event, the finance minister urged, “Let us treat this moment not just as a crisis, but as an inflection point. Let us converse—not only to understand the future that awaits us, but to shape the future we aspire to create.”
