Mumbai: CNBC-TV18 in partnership with HDFC Tru, hosted the debut edition of Prime Circle, its flagship thought leadership platform, on 16th July 2025 in Mumbai. The forum brought together global experts from finance, foreign policy, and corporate leadership to reflect on how India can position itself amid a rapidly transforming global landscape. The conversations offered actionable insights on investment, leadership, and strategic clarity in a time of uncertainty.
The evening commenced with a welcome address by Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor of CNBC-TV18, who set the tone by emphasizing the network’s commitment to guiding Indian audiences through complexity with clarity and insight. She stated, “At CNBC-TV18 Prime, our goal is to cut through the noise and focus on what truly moves markets, not just headlines, but global shifts shaping India’s future. Whether it’s U.S. semiconductor policy, remilitarization in Europe, or capital flows driven by geopolitics, we help decode what it means for Indian investors. With our global network and deep market expertise, Prime Circle is designed for leaders, founders, and fund managers seeking both insight and a competitive edge to stay ahead of the curve.”
The event began with an engaging session ‘RE-IMAGINED: Can Real Assets Outpace Equities’ featuring Raamdeo Agrawal, Chairman of Motilal Oswal Group, and Ankur Gupta, Global Deputy CIO at Brookfield. The discussion focused on the increasing appeal of real assets such as real estate, infrastructure and logistics – as resilient, long-term alternatives in the face of market volatility. Both speakers emphasized their role in portfolio diversification and delivering stable and long-term returns.
George Yeo, Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Singapore, delivered a keynote address – ‘Can India Rise Without Picking Sides’. He spoke about India’s evolving, multi aligned foreign policy that prioritized national interest while navigating global power shifts. In the session ‘Is Global Chaos the New Normal’, Shyam Saran, Former Indian Foreign Secretary addressed the structural instability shaping global affairs, from climate crisis and energy shock to protectionism and militarization. He emphasized the need for resilience, diversified alliances, and strategic diplomacy to navigate this new normal.
Robert Rosenkranz, Chairman, Delphi Capital Management shared enduring lessons in ‘Advice for the Exceptionally Ambitious’. Drawing on Stoic philosophy, he reflected on the value of emotional discipline, intentional time use, and purpose driven leadership, especially in volatile environments. In the session ‘Connecting the Dots: The CEO Playbook for an Era of Hyper Change’; Manny Maceda, Chair of Bain & Company, offered a practical roadmap for leaders operating in a world of nonstop disruption.
He stated “The world from 1990 to 2020 was shaped by global alignment, cheap capital, and advancing tech. But that era is over. We’re now in a phase where national interests, cost pressures, and energy demands are rewriting the rules. CEOs everywhere are cautious — many are waiting. But I believe this is the time to play offense. The next decade will reward those who do not want to wait by building resilient supply chains, adapting business models, and embracing the energy transition. India has a massive opportunity. With its demographics, digital momentum, and a growing role in global manufacturing and clean energy, it’s positioned to be one of the top investable markets in the world. The shift is real, and this is the time to lead, not pause.”
‘India’s Wealth Moment Amidst Global Uncertainty’ featured Dhiraj Relli, MD & CEO of HDFC Securities, who reflected on the structural shift toward financialization of savings in India. He said, “I think what we are seeing today is the result of a long journey, Indian investors have matured, and there’s a lot more resilience now than ever before. Over the last few decades, we have seen multiple market cycles, financial crises like 2008, and several domestic corrections. But through all of it, investors have stayed the course. They’ve developed the ability to stomach volatility and keep investing with a long-term view. That kind of mindset doesn’t form overnight; it comes from lived experience, and that’s what we’re benefiting from today.”
The evening also featured a curated experience led by Sonal Holland, India’s only Master of Wine, adding a distinctive close to an evening of insight and exchange.
Prime Circle reflects CNBC-TV18 Prime’s ongoing commitment to bringing global news through an India-first lens, keeping our viewers ahead of the trend. With its signature mix of expert led sessions and strategic clarity, the platform serves as a space for bold ideas and sharp insights that go beyond the noise, offering a clearer view of what lies ahead for India and the world around.
