| Sep 22-23, 2025 | Mumbai, India

10th Annual J.P. Morgan

India Conference

The 10th annual India Conference, held in Mumbai on September 22-23, 2025, brought together 1,100 global investors, c-suite executives, policymakers, and thought leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Delegates explored pivotal themes shaping India and the global economy through CEO tracks, one-on-one meetings, and plenary sessions. The conference remains a premier platform for forging connections and uncovering new opportunities as India’s role in the global marketplace evolves.

Key takeaways from the
J.P. Morgan India Conference 2025

Which sectors are driving growth in India’s $4 trillion economy?

India’s GDP growth has consistently outpaced expectations, with over 6% expansion projected for both 2025 and 2026 — cementing its position as the world’s fastest growing major economy. At J.P. Morgan’s 10th annual India Conference in Mumbai, investors focused on the pivotal role consumer spending and major investments in manufacturing and infrastructure will play in driving the country’s next phase of growth.

India’s economy recently delivered a surprise acceleration, with GDP growth reaching 7.8% in the quarter ending in June — the fastest pace in over a year and well above expectations. This momentum was fueled by robust manufacturing and construction output, alongside increased government spending and services activity.

Despite this, rising concerns over a potential slowdown in India’s growth were a key focus at the two-day event, in light of the 50% U.S. tariff on Indian imports and the increase in U.S. H-1B visa fees. However, recent policy actions — including the landmark GST overhaul and monetary policy easing — are expected to help partially ease the adverse impact of tariffs in the coming quarters.

“While India’s economy faces external headwinds, there are growing domestic supports in benign inflation, a strong monsoon, monetary easing working through the system and both direct and indirect tax cuts,” said Sajjid Chinoy, head of Asia Economics and chief India economist at J.P. Morgan.

Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, the chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), highlighted while most nations are growing less than 3% a year, India’s expansion continues to demonstrate resilience.

“India’s economy is estimated to grow around 6% this year and some forecasts suggest it should be striving for 6-7% for the next 20 years.”
Jamie Dimon
Jamie Dimon
Chairman and CEO, JPMorganChase

Setty suggested a long-term growth rate of 7–7.25% is achievable, given India’s demographic dynamics.

Similarly, Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorganChase, was optimistic about the country’s ability to sustain its elevated level of growth for years to come.

“India’s economy is estimated to grow around 6% this year and some forecasts suggest it should be striving for 6–7% for the next 20 years,” he said.

India’s consumption story was another leading theme, as the government’s incoming GST tax cuts will make a wide range of essential and luxury products more affordable for households. These changes, combined with recent income tax relief, are expected to encourage greater spending on items like food, consumer goods, appliances, apparel and footwear.

India’s GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council is lowering tax rates from September 22 for essentials (5% or exempt) and aspirational products, such as premium food and beverage and high-end electronics (18%), while luxury goods and sectors such as alcohol and tobacco face a higher rate of 40%.

Business leaders highlighted how rising disposable incomes, digital innovation and the rapid growth of online and quick commerce are reshaping consumer demand across both urban and rural markets. As households increase their discretionary spending, companies are preparing for stronger sales and new investments. The overall benefit to consumers is estimated at around 0.6% of GDP, positioning consumption as a key driver of India’s next phase of economic growth.

During a panel discussion about consumer trends, Saugata Gupta, CEO and managing director of consumer goods company Marico, said the new tax cuts could lead to lower prices in certain categories with high price elasticity, such as fast food and groceries, where demand is highly sensitive to price changes. The tax cuts should also help neutralize “shrinkflation” and give sales of consumer goods a positive bump, Gupta added.

For fast food delivery, Sameer Khetarpal, CEO and managing director of Jubilant FoodWorks (the operator of brands such as Domino’s Pizza and Popeyes in India), said more detailed customer profiling, tech improvements and the incoming cuts will help further boost sales.

Around 60% of pizza sales occur between 7 pm and 11 pm, but late-night orders now account for up to 10% of volumes, driven by Gen Z’s frequent app-based ordering and unique meal habits, Khetarpal added

“Consumption in India has been underwhelming for a variety of reasons and along with various policy measures, GST will be a key enabler, as it will drive end-consumer prices down. We are cautiously optimistic for demand revival ahead,” said Latika Chopra, head of India Consumer and Discretionary Research at J.P. Morgan, in an interview with CNBC TV18 on the sidelines of the conference.

India’s government has outlined plans to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047, up from $4 trillion today. Infrastructure development will be key to achieving this goal, with plans including the construction of 100 smart cities. Momentum is being driven by both public and private sector initiatives, as well as a renewed focus on quality, innovation and long-term value creation.

Panelists discussed how infrastructure development and manufacturing are becoming major engines of growth. Abhishek Lodha, CEO and managing director of Lodha Developers, emphasized how India’s transition to a middle-income economy is fueling a multi-decade housing cycle, with demand for home ownership and urbanization creating ripple effects across hundreds of related industries.

Regulatory reforms, such as the Real Estate Regulatory Act (RERA) and GST, have strengthened the sector’s foundation, making it more transparent and resilient, while large-scale projects like data centers and green developments are opening up new avenues for investment.

“The Indian real estate sector is projected to grow from $500 billion to $5 trillion by 2047 as the country transitions from a low-income economy on the basis of per capita GDP to a middle-income economy,” said Bhavin Shukla, head of India Real Assets at J.P. Morgan.

Anish Shah, group CEO and managing director of Mahindra Group, one of India’s largest automakers, underscored the importance of manufacturing in India’s long-term growth strategy. He noted the sector will need to expand to the equivalent of 25% of the economy at $8 trillion, up from $500 billion today, in order to support the country’s ambitions.

Shah pointed out improvements in product quality, global competitiveness and the rapid pace of infrastructure development — such as building roads at 40 miles a day and adding new airports every month — as key factors driving growth.

India’s electronics manufacturing sector is also undergoing a transformation, with output expanding sixfold over the past decade, as exports have hit $40 billion. Ashwini Vaishnaw, honorable union minister of Railways, Information, Broadcasting and Information Technology, discussed how government initiatives such as the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme and the India Semiconductor Mission have attracted significant investment. New manufacturing hubs have emerged across the country and pilot semiconductor production is underway.

India’s pharmaceutical industry is entering a new era of growth, as the country responds to rising health challenges and global demand for advanced therapies. With a vast patient population — over 100 million people live with diabetes and hundreds of millions more are affected by obesity — there has been a rapid uptake of GLP-1 drugs.

India’s pharmaceutical industry is entering a new era of growth, as the country responds to rising health challenges and global demand for advanced therapies. With a vast patient population — over 100 million people live with diabetes and hundreds of millions more are affected by obesity — there has been a rapid uptake of GLP-1 drugs.

GLP-1 drugs have emerged as one of the fastest growing segments in global pharmaceuticals. J.P. Morgan projects the market could reach $160 billion by 2030, up from $54 billion last year. Dominated by pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, these weight loss drugs are now equally used for diabetes and obesity, reflecting a major shift in treatment approaches.

The introduction of newer GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, is transforming diabetes and obesity management in India, offering substantial benefits including significant weight loss and reduced reliance on insulin.

Dr. Vinod Babu, a panelist and consultant diabetologist at Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre, said India faces a unique set of circumstances as result of the country's high-carbohydrate diet. He noted the main challenge faced in practices across India today is that patients do not see obesity as a health issue, which could lead to far greater health complications in the coming decades.

As patents expire, the market is set to become more competitive, with multiple Indian companies preparing to launch generic versions of GLP-1s — potentially making these treatments more affordable and accessible across metro, tier-two and tier-three cities.

Vikrant Shrotriya, corporate vice president and managing director of Novo Nordisk India, said the country has become central to the company’s global strategy. GLP-1 drugs have proven especially successful in India, with clinicians reporting up to 90% of patients experiencing significant weight loss — often surpassing results seen in Western populations. Discontinuation rates due to side effects are also notably lower among Indian patients, likely due to genetic factors and strong clinical support, Shrotriya added.

With Novo Nordisk’s key drug, semaglutide, set to go off patent next year in several countries — including India — the domestic market is poised for significant expansion.

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This conference is by invitation only and is not transferable. The conference is not open to the media.