30th CII Partnership Summit: Building Bridges of Trust, Technology, and Trade

CII is set to celebrate a major milestone with the 30^th edition of its Partnership Summit, scheduled form 14-15 November in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Over the past three decades, this Summit has evolved from a pioneering national initiative into a globally respected platform for economic dialogue, geopolitical engagement, and strategic collaboration.

Since its inception in 1995, the Partnership Summit has been central to CII’s mission of fostering international cooperation through trade, investment, and innovation. It has hosted dignitaries from over 100 countries, including Presidents and Prime Ministers from India, Singapore, Canada, the UK, Italy, Malaysia, and Poland. Alongside these leaders, global business executives, policymakers, and scholars have convened to exchange ideas and forge partnerships that transcend borders. This legacy of high-level engagement has made the Summit a catalyst for transformative thinking and cross-border collaboration.

This year’s edition is being organised on an unprecedented scale, reflecting both the ambition and urgency of the times. With over 2000 delegates, including 30+ overseas ministers, 100+ global speakers, and multiple international business delegations, the Summit will serve as a dynamic forum for shaping the future of global cooperation. Senior ministers from the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh will also address the gathering, underscoring the importance of regional leadership in driving national and global progress.

This year’s theme, “Technology, Trust, and Trade: Navigating the New Geoeconomic Order,” captures the essence of the forces reshaping the global landscape. The Summit will feature sessions on a wide array of topics, including supply chain resilience, trade facilitation, AI governance, energy transition, circular economy, digital innovation, and sustainability-led growth. Each dialogue is designed to produce actionable outcomes, from MoUs and investment commitments to new strategic alliances that drive tangible progress.

India’s growing global stature adds special significance to this year’s Summit. Following its successful G20 Presidency and leadership in South-South cooperation, India has emerged as a trusted bridge between the Global North and South. The country’s message of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” continues to resonate across international platforms, reinforcing its role as a champion of multilateralism and inclusive development.

India is the fastest-growing major economy. Its young and skilled workforce, robust industrial base, and rapid digital transformation offer vast opportunities for global collaboration.

Several transformative Government initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, PM GatiShakti, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, are driving India’s rapid evolution into a leading hub for manufacturing and innovation. These programs have laid the foundation for robust industrial growth, enhanced digital infrastructure, and a skilled workforce.

India’s achievements in the digital space are remarkable, with world-leading fintech adoption, innovative platforms like UPI and India Stack, and pioneering digital public infrastructure driving inclusion and global recognition. The India Stack has dramatically improved governance and public service delivery. Its success has inspired adoption of similar platforms in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Bangladesh. Collectively, these advancements highlight India’s emergence as a global model for scalable, inclusive technological progress.

The choice of Visakhapatnam as the host city is both symbolic and strategic. Known for its progressive policies, world-class infrastructure, and commitment to sustainable development, Andhra Pradesh exemplifies excellence. By spotlighting Visakhapatnam, CII reinforces the idea that local innovation can drive global impact and that regional hubs can play a pivotal role in shaping international discourse.

The global economy is undergoing a profound transformation. Rising protectionism, technological disruption, and shifting geopolitical alliances present new challenges, but also unprecedented opportunities for collaboration. In this context, India stands out as a voice for open trade, multilateral cooperation, and collective progress.

At its core, the CII Partnership Summit is built on a simple yet powerful idea: partnerships create progress. As CII commemorates three decades of this visionary initiative, the 2025 Summit reaffirms India’s position as a trusted global partner, a hub of innovation, and a catalyst for sustainable growth. It is not just a celebration of the past, it is a bold step toward building bridges for the world of tomorrow.

Note: This article has been contributed by Mr R. Dinesh, Chairman, CII International Council & Past President, CII, and Chairman, TVS Supply Chain Solutions Ltd., and was published in CII Communique, Volume 47, No. 10, October 2025.