World Hindu Economic Forum 2025: Reclaiming dharma-driven wealth creation for Bharat’s rise

MUMBAI: The World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) 2025, held on December 19–20 at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, marked a significant moment in Bharat’s contemporary economic discourse by placing civilisational values at the centre of policy, enterprise and innovation. More than a business conclave, the gathering sought to articulate a confident, future-oriented economic vision rooted in Dharma, discipline and national interest.

The two-day forum brought together senior Union and state ministers, policymakers, industrialists, global investors, MSME leaders, start-up founders and civilisational thinkers from India and abroad. Across sessions, the recurring message was clear: Bharat’s economic rise must be driven not only by capital and technology, but by an organised, values-based approach to wealth creation.

Governance, Trust and Global Outreach

Inaugurating the forum, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasised the need for institutionalised cooperation built on trust. Announcing plans for a 54-storey African Centre in Navi Mumbai, he said Africa is emerging as the next major global growth engine. Each floor of the proposed centre will host representative offices of African nations, creating a permanent platform for trade, technology and strategic engagement.

Innovation, Self-Reliance and India’s Path to Global Prosperity

It was an honour to speak on our timeless Hindu ethos and ancient civilization at the Annual World Hindu Economic Forum Conference 2025 in BKC, Mumbai today.

The conference underscored that ‘Innovation,… https://t.co/prQCUa3zAv pic.twitter.com/4u7ooaHszP

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 19, 2025

India’s historical relationship of trust with Africa and the Global South, Fadnavis noted, positions Bharat uniquely to collaborate in shaping the evolving global economic order without coercion or exploitation.

CM Devendra Fadnavis was handed over the Letter of Intent (LoI) by ‘Shree Cement’, a leading company in the construction sector, for an investment of ₹2000 crore. This proposed investment will be used for cement manufacturing unit, green energy initiatives, and related… pic.twitter.com/1a9GaZkjyy

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) December 19, 2025

India’s Trade Doctrine

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal outlined Bharat’s evolving trade philosophy with clarity. India, he said, is pursuing strictly win-win Free Trade Agreements and consciously avoiding pacts that compromise domestic industry or involve competing economies with lower per capita incomes.

आज World Hindu Economic Forum 2025 में Establishing Brand Bharat: Competitiveness in Global Trade विषय पर अपने विचार साझा करने का अवसर मिला।

वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम भारत की सभ्यतागत चेतना है, जिसे प्रधानमंत्री @NarendraModi जी ने वैश्विक नेतृत्व का मार्गदर्शन बनाया है। भारत की प्रगति… pic.twitter.com/Temk766S5w

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 20, 2025

India has already signed six FTAs, including major agreements with the UAE, Australia, and the EFTA bloc, while negotiations are ongoing with several developed economies to deepen engagement with a stable and reliable India. Goyal reiterated that Bharat is on course to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027 and a USD 30 trillion-plus economy by 2047, driven by reforms, infrastructure expansion and innovation-led growth.

Invoking Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, he underlined that India’s development model remains inclusive, ethical and globally responsible.

Infrastructure and Competitiveness

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari highlighted infrastructure as the backbone of national growth. He expressed confidence that India’s road network will match, and in some cases surpass, American standards within the next two years.

The core objective, he said, is to reduce logistics costs so that Indian goods become more competitive in global markets. World-class infrastructure is essential for capital investment, industrial expansion, job creation and achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a USD 5 trillion economy.

Maharashtra’s Push for AI Governance

A major announcement came from Maharashtra IT and Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, who said the state will establish Bharat’s first Artificial Intelligence University within six months, along with an integrated AI City.

Mumbai, Maharashtra: On the World Hindu Economic Forum, Minister Ashish Shelar says, “This is a platform that brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, professionals, business leaders, and those working in education from across the world. It aims to revive and showcase the… pic.twitter.com/oA9tAAt1t6

— IANS (@ians_india) December 20, 2025

The initiative marks Maharashtra’s transition from e-governance to i-governance, and now to AI-driven governance, in which public services and policy decisions will increasingly be supported by artificial intelligence. The state is targeting four lakh skilled IT jobs and ₹50,600 crore in technology investment, while aiming to attract 50 per cent of global Global Capability Centre (GCC) investments through a dedicated policy framework.

Manufacturing and Atmanirbharta

JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal delivered a candid assessment of India’s economic structure. With services contributing over 60 per cent of GDP, he argued that manufacturing must expand beyond its current 15 per cent share to ensure sustainable growth and employment.

Referring to India’s exclusion from the US-led Pax Silica initiative, Jindal said Bharat possesses sufficient rare earth reserves and must invest aggressively in domestic exploration. “Atmanirbhar Bharat is not optional, it is an economic imperative,” he said. He also confirmed that JSW Group is progressing with a homegrown passenger vehicle brand focused on electric and hybrid technologies, alongside battery manufacturing capacity in Maharashtra.

Investment Commitments

Concrete investment announcements were also made. Shri Hari Mohan Bangur, Chairman of Shree Cements, handed over a Rs 1,500 crore Letter of Intent to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for infrastructure development.

ग्वालियर में 25 दिसंबर को आयोजित “अभ्युदय मध्यप्रदेश ग्रोथ समिट” में आप सभी सादर आमंत्रित हैं…

आज मुंबई में आयोजित World Hindu Economic Forum 2025 में सहभागिता कर मध्यप्रदेश की विकास यात्रा और निवेश की संभावनाओं पर संवाद किया।

कॉन्फ्रेंस में श्री सीमेंट द्वारा ₹1,000 करोड़… pic.twitter.com/1TOW77dJeb

— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) December 19, 2025

Yadav highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s emergence as a manufacturing and export hub, particularly in pharmaceuticals, textiles and renewable energy. Declaring 2025 as the “Year of Industry and Employment”, he said projects worth over ₹6 lakh crore are already under implementation in the state.

Focus on MSMEs and Grassroots Enterprise

Beyond large corporations, the forum emphasised MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, start-ups and first-generation business leaders. Sanjay Khemani, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee, said Bharat’s growth story is increasingly shaped by entrepreneurs who build with integrity, discipline, and a long-term vision.

वर्ल्ड हिंदू इकॉनॉमिक फोरम 2025, भारत की आर्थिक चेतना…
मुंबई@WHEForum pic.twitter.com/NHfw5DvxDL

— OP Choudhary (@OPChoudhary_Ind) December 20, 2025

TR Shiva Prasad, National Organising Secretary of the Hindu Economic Forum, reiterated that the platform’s mission extends to the grassroots, connecting villages and local enterprises to national and global markets through mentoring, access to capital and market guidance.

A Collective Voice for Food and Hospitality

On Day 2, organisers presented the Hindu Association of Restaurants, Hotels, Aahar & Refreshments (HARHAR), a national and international industry body, which was envisioned and supported by the forum.

HARHAR brings together hoteliers, restaurateurs, sweet and snack manufacturers, caterers, chefs, food innovators, spice and grain processors, suppliers and service providers across Hindu culinary and hospitality traditions. Despite a domestic market exceeding Rs 2 lakh crore and annual growth of 14–18 per cent, the sector has long lacked a unified voice rooted in Dharma and economic empowerment. HARHAR aims to fill this gap, positioning itself as the collective voice of a Hindu-led hospitality enterprise.

Start-ups and Indigenous Innovation

Innovation was a central focus at the Launch Pad, where six start-up innovators presented their ideas to angel investors and mentors. Four were selected for one-on-one interactions with early-stage investors, highlighting the platform’s role in nurturing indigenous enterprise. Investors indicated a willingness to invest between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 5 crore per idea, depending on scalability and execution.

The Idea Behind the Platform

The World Hindu Economic Forum was founded by Swami Vigyananand, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and a sanyasi inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s philosophical tradition. Drawing from Acharya Chanakya’s maxim “Dharmasya Moolam Arth”, he emphasises that ethical conduct, social harmony and effective governance must rest on a foundation of economic strength.

This is what collective vision looks like.
Packed halls. Focused minds. Conversations that move beyond numbers and into purpose.
WHEF 2025 is in motion.@sumitification @mayursejpal @Shailesh022 Shri @Dev_Fadnavis @CMOMaharashtra #WHEF2025 pic.twitter.com/vjIXv100Et

— World Hindu Economic Forum (@WHEForum) December 19, 2025

Invoking the Bhagavad Gita’s call to “think in the future, for the future”, he envisions Hindu society reclaiming its historic role as a global economic force. Through a simple metaphor of two laddoos, one loosely bound and the other firmly held together, he underscores how unity converts individual effort into collective strength.

Looking Ahead

Before the forum concluded, it was announced that a Hindu Economic Forum national chapter meet will be held in Hubballi, Karnataka, in February 2026. Registrations were also opened for the World Hindu Congress 2026, scheduled in Mumbai from December 18–20, 2026.

As the gathering drew to a close, it left behind a clear message: Bharat’s economic resurgence is inseparable from its civilisational confidence. By integrating Dharma with enterprise and nationalism with global engagement, the forum outlined not only an economic roadmap but also a long-term national mission.

Credit : Organiser Weekly