Vijay Kiran Anand, CEO of Invest UP, said that Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as a key investment destination in India. Speaking at the India Economic
Conclave 2025 on Wednesday (December 17), he said the state’s focus on infrastructure development, industrial corridors, policy reforms, ease of doing business and sector-specific opportunities has made it a preferred destination for both domestic and global investors. Anand said that Uttar Pradesh’s investment roadmap positions the state as a major driver of India’s economic growth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the country’s most populous state has set a long-term vision of becoming a $6 trillion economy and a medium-term target of $1 trillion. He said Uttar Pradesh is now a revenue surplus state and has emerged as India’s second-largest economy. The state recorded manufacturing growth of 20 per cent last year. A decade ago, around 500 factories were registered annually in Uttar Pradesh, but this number swelled to 4,000 last year. The state is now targeting the registration of 8,000 factories this year. “Manufacturing growth has been consistently above 20 per cent over the last few years,” he said. Anand also highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s emergence as a major hub for smartphone manufacturing, accounting for over 50 per cent of the country’s total production. “We are now at over 55 per cent of smartphone manufacturing,” he said. In the defence sector as well, Anand said the state has made significant progress. Uttar Pradesh has defence corridors, with more than 60 defence companies currently operational. He further said that Uttar Pradesh has made heavy investments in infrastructure in recent years. The state has seven operational expressways, while six more are under construction. It has five international airports, including the Jewar airport near Noida. Uttar Pradesh also has 16 domestic airports and the largest railway network in the country. VIDEO
Times Network's India Economic Conclave 2025
Times Network's India Economic Conclave 2025 is happening at New Delhi on Dec 17 and Dec 18 where Union Ministers, policymakers, captains of industry and doyens of academia and intelligentsia, socio-cultural influencers have converged to delve, discuss, deliberate and define India’s trajectory and how that is on one hand impacted by the economy, while on the other hand is a catalyst for the economic complement to becoming the 3rd largest superpower and the vision of Bharat 2047.
At a time when unprecedented geopolitical conflicts, trade realignments and economic uncertainties are reshaping the world order, India stands as a stabilizing force - navigating complexity, exercising conviction and flexing strategic autonomy.
At this year’s Conclave, IEC focuses on ‘Navigating GeoEconomics’ and how India will continue to anchor prosperity, resilience, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
WATCH LIVE STREAMING: India Economic Enclave Day 1 - Navigating Geoeconomics | Policymakers, captains of industry to discuss India’s trajectory
The conclave is held on the 17th and 18th of December in New Delhi.
INDIA ECONOMIC CONCLAVE 2025: NAVIGATING GEOECONOMICS | IEC 2025
In an era of shifting power equations and economic realignments, India finds itself not just participating in the global conversation but often setting it in motion. Its policy choices - from trade and technology to energy and geopolitics are creating ripples that major economies, including the US and China, must respond to.
This fusion of power and policy is what defines “geoeconomics.” And today, India is not merely reacting to global change — it is catalysing it. With its blend of economic dynamism, digital innovation, and diplomatic balance, India is shaping global reactions, redrawing alliances, and redefining the contours of global geoeconomics.
Over 10 editions, Times Network India Economic Conclave has championed the most pertinent economic agenda of the nation, with the themes of the conclave going on to become a crucial subject in national discourse.
Steered by the leading editorial voices of Times Network, thinkers, policymakers, economists, business leaders and global influencers converge at this landmark forum, to discuss the roadmap for accelerating India’s economic trajectory.
IEC OVER THE YEARS:
-$5 Trillion - Aspiration To Action in 2019
-India’s Decade: Reform. Perform. Transform in 2021
-The Great Indian Democratic Dividend in 2022
-India: The Emerging 3rd Superpower in 2023
-Fast-Track To Top 3 in 2024
