S. Jaishankar, Hon’ble Union Minister for External Affairs, today inaugurated the three-day Global Economic Cooperation (GEC) 2026, a high-level international forum convened by the Future Economic Cooperation Council (FECC).
The forum is being organised in cooperation with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, and the Government of Maharashtra, with the support of Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Chief Patron of FECC.
A Forum at a Pivotal Global Moment
Bringing together senior ministerial and business delegations from major global economies, including France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Australia, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka, GEC 2026 convenes at a time of significant shifts in global trade architecture and geopolitics. The forum aims to develop practical frameworks for resilient, inclusive, and future-ready economic cooperation amid an increasingly multipolar world order.
PM Modi’s Message: India as a Beacon of Stability
During the inaugural session, Shri Vijay Chauthaiwale, Executive Director, FECC, and In-Charge Foreign Affairs, BJP, read a message from Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his message, the Prime Minister stated that as the world seeks steady leadership in uncertain times, India stands out as a beacon of hope, delivering practical and scalable solutions to global challenges while maintaining the rare balance of high growth and low inflation. He highlighted India’s role as a credible voice of the Global South and underscored the transformative impact of Digital Public Infrastructure in ensuring efficient, transparent and accountable welfare delivery.
Sharing his best wishes for successful deliberations, the Prime Minister noted that GEC 2026, through its diverse participation and forward-looking agenda, can serve as a vital bridge connecting ideas, capital and innovation, thereby laying the foundation for a more cooperative and interconnected global economic future.
Jaishankar: De-Risking and Diversification Essential
In his inaugural address, Dr. Jaishankar emphasised that the world has entered an uncertain era where strategic, political, economic and technological dimensions are simultaneously undergoing transformation. He stressed the growing importance of de-risking and diversifying across sourcing, production and markets.
He described GEC 2026 as a timely platform to deliberate on resilient supply chains, trusted partnerships and balanced frameworks of economic cooperation. Reiterating India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, he stated that India seeks not only to contribute to global growth but also to global stability, predictability and trust.
Fadnavis: Architecting the Next Framework of Cooperation
Devendra Fadnavis remarked that the global order is recalibrating, with supply chains reorganising and strategic sectors such as semiconductors, energy, food security, rare earths and artificial intelligence becoming integral to national security doctrines.
He noted that in this era of economic statecraft, India’s rise is structural rather than accidental, and GEC 2026 provides a platform to architect the next framework of cooperation. From Mumbai — a city built on maritime trade and global engagement — he called for shaping an economic order that is resilient, inclusive and strategically stable.
Industry Leadership and Advisory Council
The forum is led by Shri Vijay Chauthaiwale and Ms. Priyam Gandhi-Mody, Director, FECC. It is guided by an Advisory Council comprising prominent industry leaders, including:
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Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group
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Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Forge Limited
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Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
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Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman, Network18 Group
In his advisory capacity, Mr. Baba Kalyani stated that through FECC, India seeks to advance global economic cooperation by promoting free trade, investment flows and resilient partnerships, fostering an inclusive and sustainable global order. He highlighted India’s demographic strength and its philosophy of Vasudeva Kutumbakam, emphasising shared prosperity and openness.
Key Themes Over Three Days
Over the next three days, leaders from governments, multilateral institutions and global corporations will deliberate on:
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Financial resilience and long-term infrastructure capital
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Trade corridors and competitiveness
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Supply chain diversification
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Artificial intelligence and technology transitions
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Sustainability and ESG priorities
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Women’s leadership in driving inclusive growth
Strengthening India’s Global Economic Voice
GEC 2026 aims to reinforce India’s expanding influence in shaping global economic dialogue at a time when economic power is increasingly diffused across a multipolar world. Through this forum, India seeks to strengthen its position as a trusted economic partner, investment destination, and bridge between developed and emerging economies.
