Anil Agarwal Highlights India’s Global Significance, Urges Focus on Natural Resources at NDTV World Summit 2025
Image via IANS
New Delhi, October 17, 2025: Vedanta Group Founder and Chairman Anil Agarwal on Friday emphasized India’s growing influence on the global stage, asserting that “nothing can happen without India’s presence.”
Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025 during a session titled “Building Bharat: Purpose, Profit, Planet,” Agarwal highlighted the nation’s vast potential in mining, natural resources, and self-reliance, underscoring that the world’s progress has always been driven by what lies beneath the surface of the earth.
“I have always believed that the world has progressed because of what lies below the ground,” Agarwal said, urging India to tap into its abundant mineral wealth to fuel growth and reduce dependence on imports.
Focus on India’s Resource Power
Agarwal emphasized the critical need for India to strengthen its domestic production in key sectors such as gas, copper, and silver. “The only way to move forward is to produce your own gas, copper, silver — anything you talk about is below the ground,” he noted.
He revealed that Vedanta currently meets nearly half of India’s silver requirements, while calling on larger corporations to collaborate with a shared vision of advancing India’s industrial and economic growth. “Bigger companies need to come together with one goal — to take India forward,” he said.
Opportunities for India’s Youth
Agarwal also spotlighted the surge in opportunities for India’s youth, expressing confidence in their determination and global competitiveness. “Opportunities have come for our young people — and they are bubbling with energy. What they once dreamed of doing abroad, they will now do here in India,” he said, reflecting optimism about the country's new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
He added that India’s growing global reputation and industrial advancement would empower its young workforce to lead across diverse sectors — from technology to mining and manufacturing.
India’s Untapped Treasure
The industrialist drew attention to India’s vast reserves of gold, diamonds, and other precious minerals. “The world’s best reserves of gold are in India. The best reserves of diamonds are also here,” he said, underscoring the importance of responsible exploration and development of the country’s natural resources.
Agarwal reiterated that sustainable mining and resource management could play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 — a developed India by the centenary of its independence.
A Journey from Humble Beginnings
Sharing his personal story, Agarwal reflected on his modest upbringing and early struggles. “I am just a boy from Bihar who didn’t know anything. Khali tamannayein thi ki kuch karna hai (I just had a wish to do something),” he recalled with humility.
He described his journey from humble beginnings in Rajasthan and Bihar to leading one of India’s largest natural resource conglomerates. “I never sat on a plane or a double-decker bus. These were all dreams once,” he said, illustrating his belief that perseverance and vision can transform lives.
About NDTV World Summit 2025
The NDTV World Summit 2025 is a two-day global thought leadership event that brings together policymakers, business leaders, and change-makers to discuss India’s role in shaping the future of the world economy. This year’s summit focuses on sustainable development, innovation, and the balance between purpose, profit, and planet. The event concludes on October 18 in New Delhi.
Final Thoughts by TheTrendingPeople.com:
Anil Agarwal’s message resonates with India’s long-term development vision — a call to harness the country’s natural wealth responsibly while empowering its youth to drive innovation and self-reliance. As India continues its journey toward becoming a developed nation, leaders like Agarwal remind us that the foundation of progress often lies below the ground — and within the aspirations of its people.