New Delhi, October 4 (Daily Kiran) : The fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave, held from October 3 to 5, 2026, in New Delhi, focused on critical topics such as the global economy, development, tax reforms, and rising uncertainties in policymaking. Abhijit Singh, an associate professor of economics at the Stockholm School of Economics and co-chair of J-PAL’s education sector, emphasized India’s remarkable growth rate during a period of economic slowdown in many parts of the world.
In an interview, Singh noted that while discussions around precise growth figures can sometimes be contentious, it is fair to assert that India remains one of the most significant growth stories globally. He highlighted the importance of India’s position in the current global economic climate.
Singh remarked, “The Kautilya Economic Conclave’s greatest strength lies in bringing together top policymakers, ministers, former government officials, and leading academics on a single platform.” He added that international experts working on critical issues related to India and the global economy share their experiences and insights, which play a vital role in understanding complex economic challenges and shaping future policies.
Mohammad Chatib Basri, a member of Indonesia’s National Economic Council and former finance minister, echoed these sentiments. He stated that such conferences provide countries with opportunities to learn from one another’s experiences. Basri noted that Indonesia could gain valuable insights from India, particularly in the area of tax reforms. He pointed out that India’s implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which unified various indirect taxes, was a significant structural reform that Indonesia could learn from to enhance its own tax framework.
Discussing the impact of global trade tensions and U.S. tariff policies, Basri mentioned that the world is currently experiencing a period of high uncertainty, with rapidly changing conditions. He identified energy price fluctuations, especially rising crude oil prices, as one of the biggest challenges facing both India and Indonesia. These price hikes could exert additional financial pressure on governments, forcing them to spend more on subsidies to provide relief to the public.
Moreover, he cautioned that increasing energy costs could have widespread implications not only for fiscal health but also for inflation, industrial production, and economic growth.
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