Global thought leaders share actionable insights on investment, leadership, and strategy amid global uncertainty
Mumbai, July 23, 2025: CNBC-TV18, in partnership with HDFC Tru, successfully hosted the debut edition of Prime Circle, its flagship thought leadership platform, on July 16, 2025, in Mumbai. The forum brought together influential voices from finance, foreign policy, and corporate leadership to explore how India can navigate a rapidly evolving global landscape and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
The evening opened with a welcome address by Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor of CNBC-TV18, who emphasized the platform’s mission to deliver clarity in an increasingly complex world. “At CNBC-TV18 Prime, our goal is to cut through the noise and focus on what truly moves markets. From U.S. semiconductor policies to global capital flows shaped by geopolitics, Prime Circle is designed for leaders, founders, and fund managers seeking actionable insights and a competitive edge,” she said.
The event featured a series of high-impact sessions and keynote addresses:
‘RE-IMAGINED: Can Real Assets Outpace Equities’ – Raamdeo Agrawal, Chairman of Motilal Oswal Group, and Ankur Gupta, Global Deputy CIO at Brookfield, discussed the growing appeal of real assets such as infrastructure, real estate, and logistics as resilient long-term investments amid market volatility.
Keynote: ‘Can India Rise Without Picking Sides’ – George Yeo, Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Singapore, spoke on India’s evolving multi-aligned foreign policy and its ability to balance national interest in a shifting global order.
‘Is Global Chaos the New Normal’ – Shyam Saran, Former Indian Foreign Secretary, explored structural global instabilities, from the climate crisis and protectionism to militarization, highlighting the importance of resilience and diversified alliances.
‘Advice for the Exceptionally Ambitious’ – Robert Rosenkranz, Chairman of Delphi Capital Management, shared lessons on emotional discipline and purpose-driven leadership drawn from Stoic philosophy.
‘Connecting the Dots: The CEO Playbook for an Era of Hyper Change’ – Manny Maceda, Chair of Bain & Company, urged leaders to proactively adapt to shifting global dynamics, emphasizing India’s demographic advantage, digital momentum, and growing role in global manufacturing and clean energy.
‘India’s Wealth Moment Amidst Global Uncertainty’ – Dhiraj Relli, MD & CEO of HDFC Securities, highlighted the structural shift in the financialization of Indian savings, underscoring the resilience of Indian investors despite past market cycles and crises.
The evening concluded with a curated wine experience by Sonal Holland, India’s only Master of Wine, adding an elegant close to an evening of strategic dialogue and exchange.
Prime Circle reflects CNBC-TV18 Prime’s commitment to delivering global insights through an India-first lens, fostering dialogue on investment, policy, and leadership to shape the country’s economic future.
About CNBC-TV18 Prime
CNBC-TV18 Prime is a premium thought leadership initiative by CNBC-TV18, designed to provide sharp, actionable insights for India’s business leaders, investors, and policymakers. Through exclusive forums and expert-led discussions, it helps decode global trends that shape India’s economic and strategic trajectory.
