The Wharton Initiative on Financial Policy and Regulation and the Wharton India Economic Forum hosted a Fireside Roundtable with Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, on October 22nd. Credit: Abhiram Jubadi
Wharton students and faculty gathered for a fireside chat with India’s Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on October 22 in Huntsman Hall.
The event was co-sponsored by the Wharton Initiative on Financial Policy and Regulation and the Wharton India Economic Forum. The conversation, which drew more than 100 participants, included Joan Gomez, Howard Butcher III Professor of Finance, and Joseph J. Aresti, professor and executive director of the Wharton Indian School of Business Program. The event was hosted by Jagmohan Raju.
An influential figure in global finance and Indian politics, Sitharaman shared insights about the Indian economy and the transformative policies that have placed India on the world stage. Her tenure as Finance Minister since 2019 and her leadership in various other portfolios, including her role as India’s first full-time female Defense Minister, have given her a key role in shaping the country’s financial and corporate strategy. playing a role.
The Minister discussed India’s path to becoming a developed country by 2047. She highlighted the four ‘I’s – Infrastructure, Investment, Innovation and Inclusion as keys for India’s path to becoming a developed nation.
“India is at a very important juncture when you think about how it has to move forward,” she told the audience. “We have set the goal of becoming a developed country in 2047.”
During a fireside chat, Sitharaman spoke about how India’s digital public infrastructure is improving, particularly through advances in financial technology. The Minister highlighted how the Government of India’s policies are designed to foster long-term growth and inclusiveness, with particular attention to the role technology plays in economic development. She also discussed the benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme and called it one of the best social security programmes.
“India would not be the fastest growing economy today if we did not take advantage of the digital infrastructure that is freely available to our citizens,” Sitharaman told the audience. “It reached people through various campaigns and awareness programs, even in their local language.”
Sidhya Ganesh, a first-year student at Wharton, expressed excitement at being in the same room as the finance minister.
“Being in the same room as Shrimati Nirmala Sitharaman was an amazing experience,” Ganesh said. “India has really been in the news recently with the first G20 summit being held here, and we are seeing significant growth globally in terms of economy, innovation and youth entrepreneurship.”
Yeshwanth Mahesh, a second-year bioengineering graduate student, praised Sitharaman’s authoritative presence and insightful perspective.
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“Her thinking on the global economy was really impressive, and her answers to questions from both faculty and students really highlighted her command of the issues,” he said.
In addition to discussing India’s economic growth, Ms. Sitharaman also highlighted the importance of student involvement in global finance. She encouraged Penn students to consider internship and research opportunities within India’s financial sector.
Sitharaman’s visit to Wharton comes as part of her larger agenda, which includes the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting, and bilateral meetings in Mexico and the United States. Ta.
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