Indian CEOs Support PM Modi's Oil Crisis Call, Eye Fuel-Saving Measures Amid Potential Return to Remote Work

Industry Leaders Rally Behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Call for Collective Responsibility

In the face of the Middle East oil crisis, industry leaders have echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for collective responsibility, emphasizing the need for India to adopt technology, conserve resources, and double down on domestic growth.

At the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 in New Delhi, CEOs and founders across sectors expressed confidence that short-term challenges are manageable if the industry and citizens contribute their bit. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-Founder of Infosys, praised the government for its efforts to shield India from global shocks, noting that inflation has remained under control and India has maintained its status as one of the fastest-growing large economies.

Gopalakrishnan acknowledged that while the government has buffered the impact of the crisis, the energy and logistics costs have increased. He suggested that adopting work-from-home arrangements and conserving resources could be a partial solution, but emphasized that "everyone has to do their bit" to contribute to the national cause. Drawing a parallel to the collective response during COVID-19, Gopalakrishnan highlighted the importance of industry, individuals, and the government working together to address the crisis.

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Deepak Shetty, CEO and Managing Director of JCB India Ltd, also commended the Prime Minister's message, which he described as forward-looking and not limited to addressing the current crisis. Shetty emphasized the need for technology adoption to contribute to the national cause without compromising growth. He noted that while India cannot control global geopolitical events, it can control how it adopts new technologies to ensure that resources are not wasted.

Shetty highlighted India's resilience in the face of global volatility, citing the continued investment and focus on capital expenditure (CAPEX) and infrastructure-related CAPEX. He also pointed to the growth of exports from JCB India, which grew by nearly 32% last year, reflecting opportunities in both domestic and overseas markets.

George Young, Vice President of Rockwell Automation, US, observed that India's growth story is being powered by government investment in global capability centers and global value chains, alongside emerging technological excellence in AI and machine learning. He predicted that growth will come from micro and small manufacturing enterprises as they mature and move into the middle of the economy.

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Young also noted that Indian firms are now setting global benchmarks, urging global CEOs to learn from "Indians, Indian companies' excellence and the culture of jugad to drive innovation." He identified automotive, semiconductors, and electronics as sectors already making progress, while pharma, chemicals, metals, and sustainable mining are areas where "you're going to see real excellence emerging in the future."