Gautam Adani says India must define its own development path

 

Speaking at the centenary of IIT–ISM Dhanbad, Gautam Adani said India must do what is best for India — defining its own development path, resisting external pressures, and building sovereign capabilities in resources, energy and technology.

Dhanbad, 11 Dec 2025: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Monday said India must chart its own development course in a world increasingly marked by national self-preservation and fractured global alliances. 

Speaking at the 100th anniversary of the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad, Adani said sovereignty in the 21st century will depend on a nation’s command over its natural resources and its energy systems.

Adani highlighted that the institute itself was born from a moment of national foresight. Over a century ago, under British rule, the Indian National Congress had recommended the establishment of an institute to build India’s critical capabilities in mining and geology. He said this vision reflected a deep civilisational understanding that a nation cannot rise without mastering the strength of its own soil.

“Master the resources below our feet, and master the energy that fuels  our rise,” he said, calling these the twin foundations of India’s economic independence.

Mr Adani warned of what he described as “narrative colonisation,” arguing that the very countries responsible for historic emissions are now attempting to influence how developing nations pursue growth. India, he said, must resist external pressures that seek to define its development priorities and do only what is best for India.

“If we do not control our own narrative,” he said, “our aspirations will be delegitimised and our right to improve our standard of living portrayed as a global offence.”

Citing global data, Mr Adani said India remains one of the world’s lowest per-capita emitters even as it has achieved more than 50% non-fossil installed capacity ahead of schedule. He said attempts to downgrade India’s sustainability performance without accounting for per-capita metrics or historical responsibility reflect biases embedded in global ESG frameworks.

Mr Adani also referred to the Group’s Carmichael mine in Australia, describing it as a project built to strengthen India’s energy security despite facing “one of the most contested environmental and political battles of the century.” At the same time, he noted the Group’s significant renewable energy investments, including the 30 GW Khavda renewable energy park in Gujarat, portions of which are already operational.

He announced two initiatives for IIT (ISM) Dhanbad: a yearly program offering 50 paid internships with pre-placement opportunities, and the Adani 3S Mining Excellence Centre in partnership with TEXMiN, featuring metaverse labs, drone fleets, seismic sensing systems and precision mining technologies.

Calling this period India’s “Second Freedom Struggle” — this time for economic and resource sovereignty — Mr Adani said mining, minerals and earth sciences would define India’s future capabilities.

“People may call mining the old economy,” he said. “But without it, there is no new economy.” He urged students to “dream fearlessly, act relentlessly,” embrace innovation and help build a confident, self-reliant India by becoming “custodians of the core” who build India’s sovereign capabilities.