Introduction
India’s richest businessmen, Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, are set to join G20 leaders at a prestigious dinner event in the nation’s capital on Saturday. This gathering underscores India’s rapid economic growth and its ambition to position itself as an attractive destination for global trade and investment, particularly in light of China’s economic slowdown.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been actively pursuing a leadership role within the G20, aiming to showcase India’s economic prowess on the international stage. Notable global leaders expected to attend the dinner include U.S. President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
In addition to the political heavyweights, over 500 prominent businessmen have received invitations, including Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla, and Bharti Airtel founder-chairman Sunil Mittal. However, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries and Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, both of whom have been alternately recognized as Asia’s wealthiest individuals.
People In Anticipation
The closed-door event is shrouded in anticipation, with an Indian official describing it as an opportunity to gather India’s elite. Notably absent from the guest list are Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Saturday’s dinner will be hosted at a spectacular new venue shaped like a conch shell, valued at $300 million. The culinary offerings will showcase India’s diverse cuisine, with a particular focus on millets, a grain that India has been actively promoting.
For years, Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani have been fierce competitors, spanning multiple industries, including telecommunications, media, energy, and finance. Their rivalry has often placed them at the pinnacle of Asia’s wealthiest individuals.
However, Adani’s business empire faced scrutiny this year after reports by short seller Hindenburg Research and investigative outlets raised questions about the company’s use of opaque funds to invest in its own stocks. Adani Group has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Conclusion
As the G20 summit dinner approaches, it provides Prime Minister Modi with yet another opportunity to underscore India’s potential as a hub for business and investment on the global stage. Despite the absence of some global leaders, the event promises to be a significant showcase of India’s economic strength and its ambition to play a pivotal role in the international arena. Reliance Industries, Adani Enterprises, Tata Sons, Bharati Airtel, Aditya Birla Group, and the Indian government have not yet responded to inquiries regarding their attendance at the event.
