India’s growth story is inspiring strong confidence at the top. According to a new PRCAI–Astrum survey released at PRana 2025 in New Delhi, 84% of 123 CEOs across six cities believe the country’s best days are still to come, and 89% remain optimistic about its long-term economic trajectory. But the study makes a crucial point: in the emerging world order, reputation — built on delivery, credibility, and trust — is becoming India’s most valuable currency for global leadership.
At PRana 2025 in New Delhi, the Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI), in collaboration with Astrum Advisory, released a new survey titled “India’s Place in the New World Order.” The study captures the voice of 123 CEOs across six major Indian cities, reflecting optimism about India’s future while underscoring the growing importance of reputation as the nation’s currency for global influence.
The findings reveal a strong sense of confidence among business leaders:
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84% believe India’s best days are still ahead.
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89% are confident in India’s long-term growth story.
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93% feel the central government has been effective in driving India’s global rise.
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92% agree India’s global positioning is strong.
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54% think India is using strategic communications effectively to shape its international image.
CEOs highlighted four critical levers that will determine India’s global leadership in the years ahead: climate readiness, geopolitical positioning, digital innovation, and human capital. However, they also stressed that these strengths must be supported by reputation and communication to translate into meaningful influence.
The survey makes a compelling case that reputation is no longer a “soft” asset — it is a strategic enabler of trust, credibility, and global power. As PRCAI leaders noted, reputation today is not just about perception, but about the outcomes that inspire confidence in boardrooms, markets, and global institutions.
Unveiling the report, former Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani reinforced this point, stating: “Reputation in public life is tested not by speeches or photo opportunities but by delivery.”
She emphasized that India’s credibility will increasingly rest on its ability to deliver progress in areas such as sanitation, women’s safety, and menstrual health — once considered taboo subjects but now central to the narrative of India’s rise.
Challenges & risks ahead
While the picture is broadly optimistic, CEOs also expressed concern over a few areas that, if ignored, could erode confidence:
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Policy unpredictability — Regulatory shifts without sufficient clarity or consistency threaten to create uncertainty for investors and other stakeholders.
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AI-related risks — Including ethical issues, misuse, and the possibility of social disruption.
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Perception gaps on civic and environmental issues — Even as India pushes hard on climate goals and sustainable development, global observers are watching closely. Any mismatch between rhetoric and reality in areas like environmental protection or civic infrastructure can harm perception.
Government & Leadership: Strategic, but Under Scrutiny
The survey suggests that many CEOs see government action under Prime Minister Narendra Modi as largely effective. The central government is viewed as having facilitated India’s recent rise globally through policy interventions, diplomatic positioning, and enabling infrastructure.
However, credibility (that which powers reputation) depends on not just ambitious policymaking, but predictable implementation, accountability, and outcomes that are visible and measurable. As many of the CEO voices in the conversations around PRana 2025 noted, announcements alone are no longer sufficient.
Implications & the way forward
The findings underscore that India is stepping into a new phase in its story — one where reputation capital is nearly as critical as economic capital. If reputation is managed well, it will amplify India’s ability to attract investment, engage globally, and lead on issues like climate change, digital regulation, and geopolitical alliances.
But to sustain this positive trajectory, the survey suggests that India must:
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Ensure policy consistency and transparency, to remove unpredictability.
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Strengthen regulatory and ethical frameworks around emerging technologies like AI.
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Close perception gaps around civic, environmental, and social issues through tangible actions.
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Integrate the concerns and contributions of women more centrally in its reputation-building and leadership narratives.
India’s CEOs seem to believe that the country is not just rising — it’s transforming. The question now is whether reputational trust will keep pace with the momentum of growth and promise. If they are right, reputation — forged through delivery, accountability, and inclusivity — will be the currency that lets India lead in the “new world order.”
FAQs
1. Why do business leaders see India as a rising global power?
India’s strong economic growth, young workforce, digital innovation, and strategic geopolitical positioning are fueling optimism about its global influence.
2. What role does reputation play in a country’s global leadership?
Reputation shapes trust and credibility. For India, it attracts investment, builds diplomatic goodwill, and strengthens its voice in international forums.
3. How is India leveraging digital innovation for growth?
India’s thriving digital economy, from fintech to AI and startups, is transforming industries and positioning the country as a global technology hub.
4. What are India’s key strengths for global leadership?
Climate readiness, demographic advantage, digital transformation, and geopolitical ties are considered the main levers of India’s long-term influence.
5. What challenges could impact India’s global rise?
Policy unpredictability, sustainability gaps, environmental concerns, and managing AI-related risks could pose hurdles if not addressed effectively.
