The prestigious forum featured leaders from politics, business, science, and entertainment, generating critical discourse on innovation, resilience, and growth.
Final Day Highlights: Politics, Economy, and Judiciary
The final day of HTLS 2025 kicked off with major announcements and policy insights:
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set the tone by addressing economic stability. Speaking on the value of the Indian currency, she firmly stated that the “rupee will find its own level,” asserting that its exchange rate is market-driven and reflective of the country’s strong fundamentals. She also announced that a comprehensive cleanup of Customs reform is her “next big assignment.”
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant outlined his key priorities after taking office. His focus areas include tackling the massive pendency of cases (over 5 crore across courts), promoting mediation as a “game-changer” for dispute resolution, and addressing modern challenges like digital arrests.
- The final day agenda was packed with heavyweights, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, and globally recognized actors Hugh Grant and Aamir Khan.
Visionaries Across the Spectrum
The three-day summit saw leaders from diverse fields share their outlook on the future:
- Day 1 (December 4): Featured discussions on technology and economy with Srinivas Narayanan (CTO of B2B Applications at OpenAI), Ridham Desai (MD at Morgan Stanley India), and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
- Day 2 (December 5): Focused on global issues with Edward Luce (Chief US Commentator at the Financial Times) and Professor Joyeeta Gupta (Distinguished Professor of Environment and Development), who discussed climate change and global cooperation.
Launched in 2003, the annual HTLS has solidified its reputation as one of India’s most eagerly awaited forums, continuously providing a platform for thought leaders to chart the course for a better future.