P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
Amidst Trump’s tariff tension, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra on Saturday said that geopolitical influence, strategic partnerships, diaspora communities and soft power in terms of global influence will assert India’s good standing globally.
Speaking on a theme ‘Opportunities and Challenges in the Current Geopolitical and Economic Context’, he termed the present time as an ‘interesting and challenging’ one as the global economy is at a critical juncture, facing an array of complex challenges including disruptions in global supply chains, protectionist policies, heightened geopolitical tensions and changing global trade patterns. “While we are witnessing technological breakthroughs at a pace never seen before, supply chains are being reimagined and trade relationships are being redefined,” he said while addressing the graduate students during the 9th Annual Convocation of the Indian Institute of Management at Sambalpur.
Further, he said that while climate and sustainability are central to every conversation and amidst this churning, one thing is clear the future will not just be inherited, it will be created. With positivity asserting India’s good standing globally as it is being shaping both by internal transformation and shifting global dynamics, he deliberated on India’s strengths. “While internally, on the one hand, growing economy, young population, expanding infrastructure and technological advance form our strength, globally, India’s geopolitical influence, strategic partnerships, diaspora communities, soft power in terms of global influence, highlights our country growing influence,” he said.
$5 trillion vision
According to him, the vision of a $5 trillion economy is not just a GDP figure – it is about millions lifted from poverty, world-class infrastructure, energy security and digital empowerment. “Prime Minister wants us to take the country to the next level through the process of “reform, perform and transform,” he said while exemplifying India’s prowess in becoming a global innovation powerhouse.
He mentioned that with over 100 unicorns, we are the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world. Talking about production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes across sectors such as electronics, pharma and solar are driving manufacturing resurgence, Mishra highlighted that this opens up exciting roles in operations, logistics, supply chain strategy, and manufacturing excellence. On the vital facet of India’s digital economy, he expressed optimism with over 800 million internet users, the economy is booming and reckoned that AI, Machine Learning, Blockchain and Industry 4.0 are no longer buzzwords – they are reality.
Climate commitment
Underlining India’s climate commitments, Mishra asserted that India aims to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Touching upon the aspect of National Green Hydrogen Mission and India’s endeavour as co-founder of the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance, he said, “clean technology, green finance, EVs, carbon trading, and circular economy practices will all demand trained, innovative minds – and that is where skill sets would play a pivotal role.”
Adding on quintessence of traits like perseverance and determination, he exhorted all to embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, to dream big and have faith and confidence in one’s abilities. He asserted as he called for the importance of responsibilities on management acumen to drive growth, productivity and innovation, to embrace lifelong learning; to take the entrepreneurial route for solving real problems, create jobs, build for Bharat and above all to be ethical, inclusive and sustainable.
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Published on April 19, 2025