New Delhi, Oct. 4 -- In an era of unprecedented global uncertainty, India's rise as a "stabilising force" is neither accidental nor transient, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday, underscoring the resilience of the country's economy fuelled by strong domestic demand and backed by the government's consistent focus on capital expenditure, fiscal consolidation and keeping inflation under check. "We have implemented strategic reforms that enhance the ease of doing business, promote financial inclusion, and improve the quality of life for the average citizen in the country. With the steady share of consumption and investment in the overall GDP over the years, India's growth is firmly anchored in its domestic factors, which minimises the impact of external shocks on overall growth. As a result, the Indian economy is resilient and continues to grow sustainably," she said at the Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC) 2025. The finance minister said the theme of the conclave -- Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times -- is apt. "In this era of unprecedented global uncertainty and volatility, this conclave provides an invaluable opportunity to bring together distinguished economists and policymakers. KEC is an annual flagship initiative of the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) and the ministry of finance to foster dialogue across and between countries to promote better understanding on contemporary national and global challenges. "We gather at a time when the very foundations of the global order are shifting beneath our feet. The world that emerged after the end of the Cold War, which led to the expansion of globalisation, open markets, and the pursuit of multilateral cooperation, now appears to be a relic of the past," the minister said. For three decades, a contested equilibrium allowed nations to pursue prosperity through integration and interdependence. That equilibrium has inevitably been upended, and the rules of international engagement are being rewritten, she added. The three-day conclave will conclude on Sunday. India must not only sustain its high growth rate but also need to "bump it up" closer to 8% to achieve its quest to become a developed India by 2047, NK Singh, president, board of trustees, Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) and chairman, 15th Finance Commission, said. He proposed a combination of four factors that are "not easy" but doable....