NEW DELHI: Former NITI Aayog CEO and ex-G20 Sherpa of India, Amitabh Kant, said on Friday that the vision for Viksit Bharat is bold and ambitious, but to achieve it, India must significantly raise its infrastructure spending.
Sharing his thoughts on the Kautilya Economic Conclave, Kant stated on X: “Delighted to speak on infrastructure at the Kautilya Economic Conclave. The vision for Viksit Bharat is bold & ambitious. To achieve it we need to raise infrastructure spending from 4% to 6.5% of GDP, do high quality project development, monetise assets, mainstream instruments like In VITs and REIT.”
He further noted that the challenge was not only about raising funds but also about execution.
“Execution also demands smarter planning, innovative financing, empowered institutions, and climate resilient design. If we confront these challenges head-on, India will not just build infrastructure, it will build the backbone of Viksit Bharat,” he added.
The conclave, held in New Delhi, also saw Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman underline India’s role in the global economic landscape. She highlighted India’s role as a stabilising force in the global economy while cautioning against the risks of imbalances and volatility, in her inaugural address at the fourth edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave 2025 at New Delhi.
Speaking at the conclave, themed “Seeking prosperity in turbulent times”, the minister noted that the very foundations of the global order are undergoing a structural transformation, with trade flows, alliances and financial systems being reshaped by geopolitical shifts.
