Pranav Adani, Director of Adani Enterprises, underscored the urgent need for India’s economic growth story to be more inclusive, emphasizing that India’s heartland—regions beyond Delhi and state capitals—must be brought into the economic mainstream. Speaking on the first foundation day of the Chintan Research Foundation, Adani's remarks pointed to a strategic shift in thinking among India’s leading industrialists.
Key Highlights from Adani’s Remarks:
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"India lives in the heartland":Citing cities like Ranchi, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, and the Northeast, Adani said that these regions embody the "real India", and must become central to the country’s economic narrative. "This is where we want them to come into our focus, into our central economy," he stressed.
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Inclusive Growth as a Necessity:Adani pointed out that only 50% of India’s population is actively contributing to GDP growth, while the rest remain largely outside the formal economic engine. Unlocking the potential of this passive half is key to realizing India’s full economic promise.
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Optimism About India’s Demographic Potential:Referring to the 1.4 billion citizens as India’s greatest asset, Adani said, “India is in a very great situation right now... We as a group are very optimistic.”
Chintan Research Foundation – A Strategic Think Tank:
The event also marked the formal introduction of the Chintan Research Foundation, a new think tank with a focused research agenda:
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Three Core Focus Areas:
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Climate Change
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Trade
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Geopolitics
These domains align with India’s evolving developmental and strategic imperatives, especially as the country navigates global energy transitions, shifting supply chains, and regional power dynamics.
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Adani described the foundation as a platform for long-term thinking, intended to contribute to policymaking and shape national discourse around sustainable and strategic growth.
Strategic Significance:
Pranav Adani’s message resonates with a broader vision of decentralized development. His call to tap into the potential of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and rural India, reflects a growing consensus that India’s next wave of economic expansion must be more geographically balanced.
As India prepares to reshape its global economic role amid rapid technological change, environmental challenges, and geopolitical tensions, the Chintan Research Foundation is positioned to become a critical bridge between academic thought, policy formation, and industrial strategy.
Bottom Line:
Pranav Adani's comments signal not only a commitment to inclusive growth but also an acknowledgement that sustainable economic development cannot be metro-centric. For India to achieve its full potential as a global economic power, its heartland must not be left behind—it must lead the charge alongside its urban centres.
