Several Indian states are marking a strong presence at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, as Chief Ministers and senior ministers travel to the Alpine town to pitch
investment opportunities and strengthen global partnerships.
The WEF meeting will be held from January 19 to January 23, bringing together global political leaders, policymakers and business heads at a time of economic uncertainty and rapid technological change.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Reaches Zurich
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived in Zurich on Sunday as part of his five-day visit to Switzerland to attend the WEF in Davos. He was given a traditional Marathi welcome by members of the Marathi community, who greeted him in ethnic attire as the Maharashtra Song was played.
Fadnavis thanked the community for the warm reception, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office. He was formally welcomed by India’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Mridul Kumar. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu also met Fadnavis and congratulated him on the ruling alliance’s strong performance in the recent Maharashtra municipal elections.
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu Leads Large Delegation
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also left for Davos on Sunday to attend the WEF. He is leading a delegation of ministers and senior officials.
During his four-day visit from January 19 to 22, Naidu is scheduled to take part in 36 engagements, including one-on-one meetings with global CEOs, roundtables, thematic sessions, inter-governmental meetings, plenary discussions, media interactions and a Telugu diaspora programme, a government source told PTI.
Karnataka Focuses On ‘Execution-First’ Approach
A Karnataka government delegation led by Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil has departed for Davos to participate in the WEF Annual Meeting, which will be held from January 19 to 23.
Ahead of the visit, Patil said Karnataka’s engagement at Davos would follow an “execution-first” approach, with a focus on converting investment proposals into projects on the ground. The delegation will take part in over 45 high-level engagements, including bilateral meetings, roundtables and ecosystem interactions.
Meetings are scheduled with global companies and institutions such as Amazon Web Services, Lenovo, Vast Space, Coca-Cola, Philip Morris, Imperial College London and the Singapore Economic Development Board, along with several other international investors.
Strong Indian Political And Corporate Presence At Davos
From India, at least four Union Ministers—Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Pralhad Joshi and K Rammohan Naidu—along with six Chief Ministers and over 100 top CEOs are likely to attend the event.
Assam Makes First-Ever Appearance At Davos
Assam will participate in the World Economic Forum for the first time, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma representing the state. During his four-day stay in Davos, several important agreements are expected to be signed, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
“For the first time, Assam steps onto the world stage at the World Economic Forum, @davos 2026. HCM @himantabiswa will represent the State from 19-23 January, showcasing Assam’s growing economic confidence and investment potential,” the CMO said in a post on X.
The CMO added that key MoUs are expected to be signed, highlighting Assam’s future-ready vision. Sarma will also present governance reforms, industrial growth plans and technology-driven development shaping the state’s progress.
Gujarat Delegation Led By Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi is leading a high-level delegation to WEF 2026 to project the state’s vision of “Developed Gujarat @2047” on a global platform.
According to the Gujarat government, Sanghavi will hold around 58 one-on-one meetings with global business leaders to attract investment across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, food processing, shipping, logistics and aerospace. The focus will be on boosting industrial growth and employment opportunities for youth.
Uttar Pradesh Showcases Growth Potential
Uttar Pradesh will also participate in the WEF Annual Meeting, with a delegation led by Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, coordinated by Invest UP.
“The high-level delegation… showcases Uttar Pradesh’s strong commitment to global partnerships and long-term economic growth,” Invest UP said in a post on X. The state plans to highlight its rise as a destination for industrial growth, innovation and sustainable development.
India’s Strong Presence At Davos
Along with Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, other Indian states including Kerala are also marking their presence at the global forum.
The 56th WEF Annual Meeting is expected to draw nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, with discussions focused on geopolitics, economic recovery and technological transformation.
