Gautam Adani Urges India To Forge An Independent Development Path; Emphasises Resource Sovereignty

India must define its own development path and resist external pressures, said Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, during the centenary celebrations of the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad.

He asserted that a nation’s sovereignty in the 21st century will hinge on its command over natural resources and energy systems.

“Master the resources below our feet, and master the energy that fuels our rise,” Adani stated, describing these as the twin pillars of India’s economic independence.

He emphasised that India must prioritise its interests and warned that external forces dictating development priorities could delegitimise the nation’s aspirations.

Adani also highlighted what he termed ‘narrative colonisation’, criticising attempts by historically high-emission nations to influence how developing countries pursue growth.

Citing global data, he noted that India remains one of the world’s lowest per-capita emitters. He added that the country has surpassed 50 per cent non-fossil installed energy capacity ahead of schedule.

He warned that disregarding per-capita metrics and historical responsibility in global ESG frameworks reflects inherent biases.

According to Adani, such measures undermine India’s sustainability performance and misrepresent the nation’s progress.

Mining and Resource Management: Foundations of Future Growth

Calling the current period India’s ‘Second Freedom Struggle’ for economic and resource sovereignty, Adani stressed that mining, minerals, and earth sciences will determine India’s future capabilities.

“People may call mining the old economy. But without it, there is no new economy,” he remarked.

He praised IIT Dhanbad’s origin.

The Indian National Congress recommended its founding over a century ago under British rule to develop India’s critical skills in mining and geology.

Adani further announced two initiatives for the institute. The first is a yearly programme offering 50 paid internships with pre-placement opportunities, and the second is the Adani 3S Mining Excellence Centre in partnership with TEXMiN.

The centre will feature metaverse labs, drone fleets, seismic sensing systems, and precision mining technologies.

He encouraged students to ‘dream fearlessly, act relentlessly’, and embrace innovation to build a confident, self-reliant India, urging them to become ‘custodians of the core’ who strengthen India’s sovereign capabilities.

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