Indian Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, while speaking at WION's Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards 2026, said that India was well on its way to becoming a developed nation by 2047."India's first quarter growth stunned the world," he noted while presenting the keynote address at the WION Summit. "Despite geopolitical turbulence, India stands firm," he added.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-iconic-tourism-summit-awards-2026-union-minister-shekhawat-says-experiential-travel-the-next-big-trend-1790147146651">WION Iconic Tourism Summit &amp; Awards 2026: Union Minister Shekhawat says 'experiential travel' the next big trend</a><h2>'Charaiveti, Charaiveti': India on course to Viksit Bharat 2047 goal</h2>Drawing from India's cultural heritage, the Vedas, Shekhawat noted that they tell us to keep moving, keep going. "Charaiveti, Charaiveti...our sages told us the wisdom of moving in pursuit of knowledge and new opportunities."“Change is eternal, but in modern times the pace of transformation is rapid,” he said, adding that “PM Modi has laid the roadmap for rapid strides for a developed nation by 2047." These themes form the backdrop to the WION Iconic Tourism Summit &amp; Awards 2026, being held in New Delhi on September 23. The summit brings together government representatives, diplomats and leaders from tourism, aviation, hospitality and technology to examine issues ranging from visas and mobility to tourism infrastructure, cultural diplomacy and travel technology. Diplomats from nearly 20 countries are expected to participate, giving the discussions a broader international dimension. Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-iconic-tourism-summit-awards-2026-how-safe-is-india-for-solo-women-travellers-shekhawat-pushes-back-against-misconceptions-1790151316942">WION Iconic Tourism Summit &amp; Awards 2026: How safe is India for solo women travellers? Shekhawat pushes back against ‘misconceptions’</a><h2>WION's Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards 2026</h2>The summit will explore some of the most pressing issues shaping global mobility today, from visa policy and border management to biometric travel, digital transformation, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in enhancing traveller experiences. The event will conclude with the Iconic Awards 2026, recognising outstanding individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the travel and tourism industry.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-iconic-tourism-summit-moving-towards-making-india-developed-nation-by-2047-1790151635415/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-iconic-tourism-summit-moving-towards-making-india-developed-nation-by-2047-1790151635415/embed</a>The summit will also see the participation of ambassadors from Argentina, Greece, Suriname, Ireland, Slovakia, Cyprus, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Seychelles, along with prominent leaders from the tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors.Part of the WION World Conferences series, the event at ITC Maurya, New Delhi, is presented by VFS Global, the global leader in trusted technology services enabling secure international mobility, which this year marks 25 years of facilitating seamless cross-border travel. The event is being organised in association with Red Hat Communications.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat invoked the ancient mantra “Charaiveti, Charaiveti” to describe India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, while highlighting economic growth, geopolitical challenges and rapid global transformation.

Indian Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, while speaking at WION's Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards 2026, said that India was well on its way to becoming a developed nation by 2047. "India's first quarter growth stunned the world," he noted while presenting the keynote address at the WION Summit. "Despite geopolitical turbulence, India stands firm," he added. Also read | WION Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards 2026: Union Minister Shekhawat says 'experiential travel' the next big trend 'Charaiveti, Charaiveti': India on course to Viksit Bharat 2047 goal Drawing from India's cultural heritage, the Vedas, Shekhawat noted that they tell us to keep moving, keep going. "Charaiveti, Charaiveti...our sages told us the wisdom of moving in pursuit of knowledge and new opportunities." “Change is eternal, but in modern times the pace of transformation is rapid,” he said, adding that “PM Modi has laid the roadmap for rapid strides for a developed nation by 2047." These themes form the backdrop to the WION Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards 2026, being held in New Delhi on September 23. The summit brings together government representatives, diplomats and leaders from tourism, aviation, hospitality and technology to examine issues ranging from visas and mobility to tourism infrastructure, cultural diplomacy and travel technology. Diplomats from nearly 20 countries are expected to participate, giving the discussions a broader international dimension. Also read | WION Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards 2026: How safe is India for solo women travellers? Shekhawat pushes back against ‘misconceptions’ WION's Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards 2026 The summit will explore some of the most pressing issues shaping global mobility today, from visa policy and border management to biometric travel, digital transformation, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in enhancing traveller experiences. The event will conclude with the Iconic Awards 2026, recognising outstanding individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the travel and tourism industry. https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-iconic-tourism-summit-moving-towards-making-india-developed-nation-by-2047-1790151635415/embed The summit will also see the participation of ambassadors from Argentina, Greece, Suriname, Ireland, Slovakia, Cyprus, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Seychelles, along with prominent leaders from the tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors. Part of the WION World Conferences series, the event at ITC Maurya, New Delhi, is presented by VFS Global, the global leader in trusted technology services enabling secure international mobility, which this year marks 25 years of facilitating seamless cross-border travel. The event is being organised in association with Red Hat Communications.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat invoked the ancient mantra “Charaiveti, Charaiveti” to describe India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, while highlighting economic growth, geopolitical challenges and rapid global transformation.

‘Charaiveti, Charaiveti’: Gajendra Shekhawat invokes Vedas at WION Iconic Tourism Summit, says India on course to become developed nation by 2047

At WION Global Innovation and Leadership Summit in Colombo, on Saturday, Sri Lankan business leaders made a strong case for rethinking trade dynamics with India, urging deeper economic integration and more ambitious policy moves. Santosh Menon, the President of the Lanka India Business Association, said India could consider “a non-reciprocal zero-tariff arrangement for all Sri Lankan exports to gain access to India”. He noted that while India’s first free trade agreement was with Sri Lanka in 2000, there remains “an opportunity for a significantly improved dynamic in India–Sri Lanka trade”.&nbsp;Menon pointed to stark imbalances to underline the untapped potential. “Indians are investing almost $30 billion every year around the world, yet only about $1 billion has come into Sri Lanka,” he said. “There are around 30 million Indian tourists travelling globally, but only about 452,000 visit Sri Lanka. All of these figures represent a huge opportunity.” He added: “Why is trade not benefiting both countries in a significant way? There is a huge opportunity for India, as the larger partner, to do something significant to change the narrative.”&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/patriot-apkws-precision-rockets-ibcs-network-inside-8-6-billion-us-arms-sales-to-israel-qatar-kuwait-uae-1777709566658">Patriot, APKWS precision rockets &amp; IBCS network: Inside $8.6 billion US arms sales to Israel, Qatar, Kuwait &amp; UAE</a><h3>&nbsp;</h3>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;Indians are investing close to $30 billion every year around the world, but only about $1 billion has come into Sri Lanka. So, we need to be critical. Around 30 million Indian tourists travel across the world every year, yet only 452,000 have visited Sri Lanka. For me, all of…&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2050540257636962680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Ports, minerals and agriculture identified as key sectors</h3>Nimal S Cooke, Executive Director of the Sri Lanka's Capital Maharaja Group, outlined three priority areas for collaboration: minerals, ports and agriculture. “The first and most important right now is the mineral resources in this country, for which India has a lot of technology and markets which we do not have,” he said. On infrastructure, he highlighted the potential of Trincomalee Harbour, particularly Sampur, noting it ‘has not been developed at all’ and that India can do a lot with that kind of Sri Lankan port.&nbsp;Cooke also pointed to agricultural innovation, especially India’s development of nano fertiliser. “We have recently seen great innovation… which has shocked the world. As far as I know, there is no other nano fertiliser producer. We have a need for that; we can reduce our carbon footprint, and India can supply it,” he said. He further stressed Sri Lanka’s renewable energy potential, estimating “over a hundred thousand megawatts capacity in solar and wind”, adding that integration with India could enable conversion into green hydrogen through interconnectivity.&nbsp;ALSO READ: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-summit-sri-lanka-backs-india-s-bid-for-permanent-unsc-seat-says-opposition-leader-sajith-premadasa-1777716525978">WION summit: Sri Lanka backs India's bid for permanent UNSC seat, says opposition leader Sajith Premadasa</a><h3>Market access and MSME growth concerns</h3>Tania Abeysundara, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka United Business Alliance, focused on trade barriers affecting smaller businesses. “Our total exports are $5 billion, and the Indian economy is mammoth compared to ours,” she said. “The garment industry is permitted to export only 800 million pieces.” She argued that a fully tariff-free, duty-free framework would be “a gesture of respect and genuine appreciation” and would significantly benefit small and medium enterprises.

He noted that while India’s first free trade agreement was with Sri Lanka in 2000, there remains “an opportunity for a significantly improved dynamic in India–Sri Lanka trade”

At WION Global Innovation and Leadership Summit in Colombo, on Saturday, Sri Lankan business leaders made a strong case for rethinking trade dynamics with India, urging deeper economic integration and more ambitious policy moves. Santosh Menon, the President of the Lanka India Business Association, said India could consider “a non-reciprocal zero-tariff arrangement for all Sri Lankan exports to gain access to India”. He noted that while India’s first free trade agreement was with Sri Lanka in 2000, there remains “an opportunity for a significantly improved dynamic in India–Sri Lanka trade”. Menon pointed to stark imbalances to underline the untapped potential. “Indians are investing almost $30 billion every year around the world, yet only about $1 billion has come into Sri Lanka,” he said. “There are around 30 million Indian tourists travelling globally, but only about 452,000 visit Sri Lanka. All of these figures represent a huge opportunity.” He added: “Why is trade not benefiting both countries in a significant way? There is a huge opportunity for India, as the larger partner, to do something significant to change the narrative.” ALSO READ: Patriot, APKWS precision rockets & IBCS network: Inside $8.6 billion US arms sales to Israel, Qatar, Kuwait & UAE

He noted that while India’s first free trade agreement was with Sri Lanka in 2000, there remains “an opportunity for a significantly improved dynamic in India–Sri Lanka trade”

WION Summit| 'India can offer zero-tariff access': Sri Lanka industry leaders call to rethink India–Sri Lanka trade ties

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WION summit-2026

‘Charaiveti, Charaiveti’: Gajendra Shekhawat invokes Vedas at WION Iconic Tourism Summit, says India on course to become developed nation by 2047

Sri Lanka industry leaders call for a reset in India–Sri Lanka trade ties