India, with its scale, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit, is uniquely positioned to lead in this new era of AI, Clean Energy, and Genomics, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani said on Friday.

Addressing shareholders at Reliance Industries' 48th Annual General Meeting, Ambani laid out a bold vision for India's future, centered on the idea of an "India-first model of development."

Acknowledging Prime Minister Modi's leadership, he highlighted India's current economic outperformance and set a target of 10% annual GDP growth. This, he explained, would be driven by a three-part strategy -- Reforms, Advanced Manufacturing and a national priority on "Deep Tech".

Geopolitical Headwinds and the Promise of a New Age

Ambani acknowledged the "great uncertainty" gripping the global economy, citing rising geopolitical tensions and persistent volatility. He argued that while conflict offers no victors, cooperation can lead to shared prosperity. This perspective underscored a belief that in an interdependent world, the success of one nation is tied to the success of all.

Despite these challenges, Ambani expressed a paradoxical optimism, stating that humanity stands on the verge of a "golden age" driven by technological convergence.

He highlighted three key areas:

* Clean Energy: Ambani said that breakthroughs in this sector promise sustainability and security, offering a path to overcome the climate crisis.

* Genomics: Advances here are poised to dramatically improve health and longevity, the Reliance Industries chairman said.

* Artificial Intelligence (AI): Describing Artificial Intelligence as the "new Kamdhenu" -- the mythological wish-fulfilling cow -- Ambani called AI a force for boosting productivity and human potential to unimaginable levels.

Reliance's strategic alignment with India's ambitions

Ambani positioned Reliance as a key player in leveraging these technological shifts for India's benefit. He stated the company is building a clean energy ecosystem, expanding into digital health and genomics, and making AI a core part of all its businesses, from retail to telecom.

This strategy, he noted, is a direct response to India's unique position to lead in this new era. With its scale, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit, India can create its own "India-first model of development" that avoids foreign blueprints. This model, Ambani suggested, will use Deep Tech to deliver prosperity, improve quality of life, and harmonize technology with democratic values and culture.

The Unstoppable Rise of India

Citing the "determined leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani asserted that India's GDP is outpacing all other major economies. He forecasted that a combination of reforms, advanced manufacturing, and a national focus on Deep Tech could propel the economy to a 10% annual growth rate.

"Despite geopolitical uncertainty, one truth is crystal clear. India is on the rise, and India's rise is unstoppable. Today, India already ranks among the world's top four global economies," he said.

This accelerated growth, Ambani projected, could lead to a four- to five-fold increase in per capita income within two decades, promoting both prosperity and equality. He stressed the importance of an "India-first model of development," one that leverages technology to boost security and quality of life while harmonizing economic progress with the country's unique democratic and cultural fabric. Ambani concluded by calling this vision the "collective dream" of 1.5 billion Indians.

"Under the determined leadership of our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi India's GDP is growing faster than all major economies. With the right set of reforms, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and a national priority on Deep Tech, our economy can grow at 10% annually," he said, adding, "This will mean that the per capita income of Indians could rise 4-5 times within the next two decades, making India not just a prosperous nation but also a more equal nation."

"More importantly, India need not copy any foreign model. We have the ability, and the responsibility, to create an India-first model of development. This model will use Deep Tech to bring prosperity and security to India, improve the quality of life of each and every Indian, and protect the environment. This model will also harmonise technology with democracy, economy with culture, spirituality with science, and national aspirations with friendship across all nations. This is the collective dream of nearly 1.5 billion Indians – to build a nation that leads with both prosperity and compassion. This, my dear shareholders, is the Indian Dream," he added.