05 October,2026 12:11 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Chandrasekaran outlines energy security, advanced manufacturing jobs and investment in human capital as key to sustaining India`s long-term growth. File pic
While noting the Indian economy has continued to perform strongly in a challenging global environment, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran on Monday outlined energy security, advanced manufacturing jobs and investment in human capital as "critical" for sustaining long-term growth, reported news agency PTI.
Chandrasekaran, while addressing the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM) Symposium 2026, said that the Indian economy has been doing very well and, over the last several years, has consistently beaten estimates by posting the highest growth "in a world that is uncertain and difficult."
He pointed out that the economic growth has been led by a strong domestic demand, services exports and conducive policy environment, and said the macroeconomic indicators are strong, with a strong demand growth across sectors such as auto, credit, power and cement.
He further said multiple parameters such as current account deficit below 1 per cent of GDP, services exports at about 11 per cent of GDP, strong forex reserves and non-performing assets of banks at multi-decadal lows, among other vectors, reflected that the overall economy is robust and maintained that India is in a stable and strong position.
However, Chandrasekaran who was recently reappointed to his third five-year term as Tata Sons Chairman, said sustaining the growth over a long-term horizon will require energy security, advanced and precision manufacturing jobs and investment in human capital, which he described as "critical."
India in the first quarter (April to June) of the current financial year registered a GDP growth of 7.8 per cent, beating industry estimates.
On the government's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, he said, it will require inclusive and sustainable development, built on world-class infrastructure, institutions and intellectual property.
"... All three will be critical," he said.
The Tata Sons Chairman said countries such as Germany triggered a transformation by focusing sharply on national competitive advantage through the lens of quality.
"Be it in terms of engineering of their products or defining standards or precision or building their entire supplier and SME or the middle strand ecosystem....I think in India, we need such a transformation," he said.
Citing the example of Japanese auto major Toyota, he said "Quality is definitely important to produce the outcome that we want ⦠But it became a key driver for innovation, productivity and competitiveness for Toyota."
He asked domestic manufacturers to integrate sustainable manufacturing processes, besides focusing on quality and other factors.
It has to "get embedded in our whole manufacturing ambition," he said.
He hoped this process will create strong leadership for only big companies, but also for middle segment in the ecosystem, adding that it would create experts who will act as a force multiplier by not only helping India, but also becoming a global voice in shaping the future of how these products are produced globally.
(With inputs from PTI)
