Our expert panellists discuss the future of Indian business as Asia becomes the largest economic region and India one of the most important economies in the world.

India is predicted to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world in 2021 and 2022 after bouncing back from the economic contraction caused by the pandemic in 2020. Although economic growth depends upon the outcome of the Covid vaccination programme in India, the country is well placed with companies such as Serum that is the largest maker of vaccines in the world. Many leaders in India recognise that Indian entrepreneurs and also youth are critical for the future economic success of the country. The Prime Minister recently tweeted "The public sector is essential but at the same time the role of the private sector is also vital. Take any sector- telecom, pharma- we see the role of the private sector. If India is able to serve humanity, it is also due to the role of the private sector."

The panel will discuss the outlook for Indian companies, entrepreneurship in large and small companies, the new "Unicorn" companies in India, and business relationships with China, the rest of Asia, as well as the United Kingdom.

Mr. Vikram Singh Mehta is an Indian business executive, former Chairman of Shell India, and thought leader. He was executive chairman of Brookings India and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and is currently a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress. Mr. Mehta started his career with the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1978. He left in 1980 to join Phillips Petroleum in London as their senior economist. In 1984, he returned to India to join the government company, OIL INDIA LTD as its Advisor, strategic planning. Subsequently, he joined Shell International in London in 1988. He was appointed Managing Director of Shell Markets and Shell Chemical Companies in Egypt in 1991 and Chairman of the Shell Group of Companies in India in 1994. Mr. Mehta left Shell in October 2012 and is currently Executive Chairman of the think tank Brookings India and senior fellow of Brookings Institution. He is also a board member of other major companies in India. He has a BA mathematics honours degree from St Stephens College, Delhi University, BA/MA economics honours degree from Magdalen College, Oxford University and a postgraduate degree in energy economics from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. Mr. Mehta is also part of the Asia Scotland Institute's International Advisory Council.