Global headwinds, tech advancement in India Inc's New Year messages

Global headwinds, uncertainties in a "shifting world" where interdependencies shape economies, was a key theme in the letters India Inc captains wrote to their employees just before stepping into 2025.

N Chandrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons, in fact, started his letter describing 2024 as "another unpredictable year". In his opening remarks, Chandrasekaran said: "Globally, 2024 was defined by geopolitical instability and a slight brightening of the macro-economic outlook." He underlined military conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, and exacerbating humanitarian crises in Europe, West Asia, and Africa, as well as the citizen-led movements in Bangladesh and South Korea. "Tariffs are once again at the forefront of leaders' minds," Chandra wrote in his letter as he highlighted that political changes and disruptions continue to shape domestic and foreign policy, especially with regard to immigration, technology, and global trade.

Mahindra group Chairman Anand Mahindra too highlighted in his year-end message to his employees that globally, the last few years have been "full of shocks, changes and uncertainties". Adding that 2024 was no exception, Mahindra said: "We are seeing a shifting world where interdependencies and a flat world may well be things of the past. International relations could become more and more transactional, driven strongly by national interest and national muscle-flexing."