India’s economic strength, capital pools and digital infrastructure power its geoeconomic clout: V Vaidyanathan

Economic Growth and Geoeconomics - India's economic strength is increasingly recognized, with its economy growing from $1.5 trillion to nearly $4 trillion in recent years, showcasing a strong growth narrative [2][12] - Geoeconomics is fundamentally linked to economic power, with trade negotiations and supply chains influenced by a country's production capabilities and competitiveness, exemplified by China's manufacturing and the US's $30 trillion consumption-led economy [1][12] Infrastructure Development - Significant investments in infrastructure over the past decade, including the construction of approximately 50,000 km of national highways, have structurally reduced logistics costs and improved productivity [3][12] - The integration of physical infrastructure with a digital backbone, including cloud, data, and 5G technologies, is enhancing India's growth potential, contributing to its status as the fastest-growing major economy [4][12] Financial Sector Dynamics - The banking system's net worth has increased to ₹29–30 lakh crore, with system-wide loans expanding to about ₹180 lakh crore, reflecting a 2.8 times growth over the last decade despite various economic disruptions [6][12] - Deposits have reached around ₹240 lakh crore, growing at approximately 10% annually, while mutual fund assets have surged from ₹11 lakh crore to ₹66 lakh crore over the past decade [7][12] - Alternative investment funds (AIFs) and portfolio management services (PMS) assets have increased tenfold to ₹23 lakh crore, indicating robust capital formation driven by nominal GDP growth and systemic liquidity [7][12] Capital Formation and Market Infrastructure - India is experiencing a unique combination of low inflation and high growth, creating an optimal environment for capital formation, with significant equity capital raised by IDFC First Bank in recent years [8][12] - The importance of India's market infrastructure, including faster settlement cycles and improved credit systems, is critical for sustained growth and attracting global investor confidence [9][12] Digital Financial Ecosystem - The digital financial ecosystem in India, which includes digital identity, fraud monitoring, and algorithm-driven credit evaluation, is transforming financial inclusion, particularly in small business lending and rural credit [10][12] - The bank is now disbursing over one million loans monthly, showcasing the effectiveness of the digital financial infrastructure in reaching underserved markets [10][12] Summary of Economic Position - India's macroeconomic stability, depth of capital, and advancements in infrastructure and digital systems have significantly altered its growth trajectory, positioning the country favorably in geoeconomics and geopolitics [12]