Artificial Intelligence, technology and innovation will be the driving forces of India’s growth story, said the Union Commerce and Industry Minister,Shri Piyush Goyal while addressing the 58th Convocation Ceremony of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi today. Congratulating the graduating class of 2025, the Minister lauded their achievements and called upon them to harness their skills, agility, and vision to lead the country towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

India’s destiny lies in the capable hands of its youth, said the Commerce and Industry Minister. He described the occasion as a day of celebration, pride, and reflection, noting that graduation marks the moment when students step into the real world, facing challenges and opportunities beyond textbooks and theory.

The Minister said that the world today is witnessing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity — the “VUCA” times. He noted that India’s youth represent the nation’s ability to be bold, agile, visionary, and capable of execution, essential qualities to lead the country towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

Extending his congratulations to the 709 graduating students, the Minister said that while awards and honours are an encouragement, life offers everyone ample opportunities to prove their worth through hard work and excellence. He expressed confidence that every student graduating from IIFT would emerge as a winner in the real world.

Highlighting the economic vision of the Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Minister said it is rooted in building a developed nation — a Viksit Bharat — ensuring prosperity for every child born in the country. The focus, he said, is on resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, and innovation-driven growth, with an aim to improve quality of life, bridge the rural-urban divide, reduce poverty, and promote ease of doing business and ease of living.

Shri Goyal underlined the role of technology and artificial intelligence in driving India’s growth story, pointing out the transformative potential of AI, robotics, machine learning, quantum computing, and innovation across key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and education. Coupled with India’s large pool of 2.3 million STEM graduates every year, he said, these advancements can reduce dependence on foreign technology and empower industries and services while uplifting those at the bottom of the pyramid.

Recounting his experience of running a skill development centre in Mumbai with CII, NSDC, Kyndryl, and IBM, the Minister shared how students from modest backgrounds quickly adapted to new-age technologies such as cybersecurity, reflecting India’s innate ability to embrace knowledge and innovation. He emphasized that India’s youthful population — with an average age of 28.4 years — is its greatest strength in the journey from a $4 trillion economy to one worth $30–35 trillion.

Shri Goyal reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of self-reliance in technology — from operating systems to cybersecurity and deep tech to artificial intelligence. He said India must secure primacy in technology globally and make the nation proud.

Citing India’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, low inflation, and fastest-growing large economy status, Shri Goyal highlighted the increasing global interest in India, with over 2,500 international companies already present in the country. He said this unprecedented opportunity places the destiny of the nation in the capable hands of the youth.

Encouraging the graduating students, the Minister urged them to continue learning, reskilling, and engaging with global megatrends, while nurturing the lifelong friendships built at IIFT. He called upon them to dream big, aspire beyond the ordinary, and work smart to capture opportunities.

The Minister concluded by asserting that the progress of each graduate would also mean progress for Bharat, ultimately leading the country to its rightful place in the global order. He assured the graduating class that there is no power on earth that can stop them from achieving their dreams and making their families, institute, and nation proud.

Chancellor, IIFT and Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Sunil Barthwal presided over the function. The Commerce Secretary, in his address, underlined IIFT’s pivotal role in nurturing leaders who are prepared to navigate the complexities of global trade and business in a rapidly changing world. He emphasized that resilience, adaptability, and ethical leadership will be the defining qualities that shape India’s continued success on the international stage. Speaking about the opportunities ahead, he urged students to align their aspirations with the nation’s larger goals, reminding them that every step forward they take in their careers adds to the progress of Bharat.

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Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan/Shabbir Azad

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