Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla expressed strong confidence in India’s economic trajectory and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) vision for 2047, emphasizing that the country is well on its way to achieving this ambitious goal. Speaking at the BT MindRush 2025 summit, Birla described India’s sustained economic growth of 6-8% annually as an extraordinary achievement, particularly when compared to other major global economies. He stated that this level of expansion is not only remarkable but also widely acknowledged across the world, positioning India as a leading force in the global economic landscape.
Birla highlighted that India’s moment on the world stage has finally arrived, with growing international recognition of the country’s economic strength and resilience. “This is our time in the sun, and the world knows it. It’s a proud moment to be an Indian,” he said, underscoring the transformation India has undergone in recent years. He credited the government’s consistent policy approach, as well as large-scale infrastructure investments, for creating an environment conducive to sustained economic growth. According to him, these factors have played a crucial role in strengthening India’s industrial and business ecosystem, making the country an attractive destination for investment.
While acknowledging challenges, Birla pointed out that many of the issues India faces are not unique but rather part of broader global economic trends. “Many of the problems we perceive as uniquely Indian are, in fact, common across economies worldwide,” he explained, using environmental sustainability as a prime example. He emphasized that businesses and governments globally are grappling with similar challenges, reinforcing the need for innovative solutions and long-term planning.
Addressing concerns regarding potential US tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration, Birla reassured stakeholders that the Aditya Birla Group remains largely unaffected by any potential trade restrictions. He explained that the group’s American operations primarily cater to domestic customers within the US, with minimal reliance on imports or exports. “Our operations in the US are largely self-contained. They don’t import too much, nor do they export too much,” he said, highlighting the strategic structure of their business model. Furthermore, he clarified that the company does not operate production facilities in the US that are dependent on international supply chains, further insulating the group from potential trade disruptions. “We are in a solid situation,” he asserted, suggesting that even in a changing geopolitical landscape, the company remains well-positioned to navigate any shifts in policy.
Expanding on the theme of business growth, Birla shared valuable insights into the art of scaling enterprises effectively. He emphasized that the Aditya Birla Group prioritizes well-planned, strategic expansion over aggressive or vanity-driven acquisitions. “Every time we have acquired or invested overseas, it has been based on a clear and compelling business rationale,” he explained, dismissing the idea of pursuing expansion simply for prestige. Instead, he argued that growth should be guided by strong fundamentals, market demand, and long-term sustainability rather than short-term ambition.
He elaborated on the group’s underlying philosophy, which is to establish leadership positions in every industry it operates in. “We are very driven by scale and size, and our core strategy is to be either the number one or number two player in each sector,” he said. This principle has guided the group’s expansion efforts across industries, allowing it to strengthen its market position and deliver sustained growth.
A prime example of this strategic approach is the Aditya Birla Group’s rapid entry into the paints industry, an area where it has achieved significant milestones in record time. Birla explained that the company leveraged its existing white cement distribution network to gain a competitive edge, enabling swift market penetration. “We have overlapping distribution with our existing white cement business, which gives us a right to win,” he said, emphasizing the synergies between their existing operations and new ventures. The results of this strategic expansion have been impressive: within just nine months, the company successfully commissioned five manufacturing plants, with a sixth facility set to be operational next month.
What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the scale at which the Aditya Birla Group has been able to expand. According to Birla, the company has built 40% of the Indian paint industry’s newly added capacity in a fraction of the time it took competitors to establish similar production infrastructure. “With this, we have 40% of the Indian paint industry’s capacity that has been built over decades,” he noted, underscoring the company’s ability to achieve remarkable growth in a highly competitive sector.
Birla’s remarks reflect a deep-seated confidence in India’s economic potential and the Aditya Birla Group’s ability to capitalize on emerging opportunities. With a strong focus on strategic expansion, market leadership, and policy stability, the group appears well-positioned to navigate global challenges while continuing to play a key role in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.
