Global Economy Speakers

Shankkar Aiyar is a leading political economy analyst, former Wolfson Chevening Fellow at Cambridge University, and the author of the critically acclaimed book Accidental India. His journalism exposed India’s 1991 gold crisis, accelerating economic liberalization. His keynotes, informed by his book Gated Republic, provide deep insights into India’s socio-economic fault lines, public policy failures, and the intersection of politics and economics in the country's development.

T. N. Ninan is the Chairman and Editorial Director of Business Standard Ltd., and one of India’s most respected economic editors. He is a recipient of the B.D. Goenka award for excellence in journalism. He successfully edited Business Standard, The Economic Times, and Business World, driving rapid growth. His weekly column, “Weekend Ruminations,” is highly influential. He is a sought-after commentator on economic and business issues and was a recipient of the Nehru Fellowship.

Palki Sharma Upadhyay is a journalist and editor who translates complex international affairs into clear, evidence-led narratives. After early work in public broadcasting and print, she anchored WION’s global news coverage and later held senior editorial roles at Network18/Firstpost. Her on-air style privileges sourcing and context over spectacle. As a moderator and commentator she helps audiences and leaders read geopolitical signals, assess media risk, and shape communications that withstand scrutiny.