Forging Global Partnerships: Telangana’s Engagement with the World Economic Forum
In a significant move aimed at elevating Telangana’s global economic stature, Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy met with Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) during the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland in January 2026. The discussions focused on deepening ties between the Forum and Telangana’s developmental vision, broadening investment opportunities, and proposing a new regional strategy to sustain engagement beyond the annual Davos conclave.
This meeting, although a part of the larger tapestry of global diplomacy and economic cooperation, highlights a strategic pivot by a sub-national government — to build sustained international partnerships. It underscores the intensifying competition among Indian states to attract global capital and innovation, and it reflects larger economic ambitions charted in Telangana’s Vision 2047.
Background: Telangana on the Global Stage
Telangana, India’s southern state formed in 2014, has gradually carved a reputation as a dynamic investment destination. With its capital, Hyderabad, emerging as a hub for technology, life sciences, aerospace, and services, the state has consistently positioned itself to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and strategic partnerships.
Under Revanth Reddy’s leadership — who took office as the state’s Chief Minister in December 2023 — Telangana has leaned into an ambitious economic strategy known as Telangana Rising 2047. This blueprint envisions the state becoming a $3 trillion economy by the year 2047, with a strong emphasis on innovation, skills, infrastructure, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
In recent years, the WEF — best known for its annual meeting in Davos — has increasingly become a staging ground for states, regions, and non-nation actors seeking to engage international investors and thought leaders. Revanth Reddy’s presence dovetails with this trend, where state leaders no longer see Davos as a peripheral diplomatic venue but as a critical platform for economic diplomacy and global brand building.
The Meeting: Key Points of Engagement
At the heart of the discussions in Davos was the meeting between CM Revanth Reddy and WEF Managing Director Jeremy Jurgens. Their dialogue centered on three principal themes:
1. Partnership on Telangana Rising 2047
Revanth Reddy presented the vision and roadmap for Telangana’s future economic transformation. The agenda included strategies to build sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), life sciences, green infrastructure, and manufacturing — and sought strategic cooperation with the WEF’s networks and expertise.
Representatives from the WEF showed a willingness to explore collaboration, especially in areas such as innovation ecosystems and the “Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR)” initiatives that bridge policy, industry, and technology.
2. Proposal for a Follow-Up Forum in Hyderabad
Recognizing that year-long gaps between high-level dialogues can slow implementation, Revanth Reddy proposed hosting an annual WEF follow-up meet in Hyderabad — ideally in July or August. The intent is to create a mid-year checkpoint where global business leaders, policymakers, and technologists can review progress on initiatives and agreements initiated at Davos.
The WEF responded positively to the idea, noting similar efforts such as the “Summer Davos” model held in other regions. Although formal plans are yet to be finalized, such a forum could significantly raise Hyderabad’s profile as a global convening hub.
3. Innovation, Skill Development and Industry Planning
Beyond ceremonial discussions, the meeting touched upon structural initiatives such as innovation hubs — especially in AI and life sciences — and how WEF frameworks can strengthen Telangana’s capacity in global value chains. The discussions also included potential support in planning industrial clusters and sharing best practices.
Causes: Why This Engagement Matters
Understanding the rationale behind Telangana’s proactive engagement with the WEF requires a look at several interlinked forces:
Economic Competition Among States
India’s federal structure allows states to craft independent economic policies and investment roadshows. Telangana is competing with other states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh to draw global capital. Participating at the WEF provides a platform for visibility among multinational corporations and institutional investors.
Transition to Knowledge and Innovation Economy
The global economy is witnessing rapid shifts — especially toward digital technologies, AI, bio-tech, and green energy. To attract high-value investment and talent, Telangana seeks alignment with global frameworks that facilitate innovation partnerships and research ecosystems.
Long-Term Economic Strategy
Telangana’s Vision 2047 represents a strategic roadmap emphasizing sustainability, inclusivity, and technology-led growth. Engagements like the WEF meeting are not merely ceremonial; they are structural components of a larger strategy — that aims to elevate the state’s economic ranking, enhance jobs and skills, and transform infrastructure.
Impact on People and the Economy
While international forums may seem distant from everyday life in Telangana’s towns and villages, the potential downstream effects are concrete.
1. Job Creation and Skills Development
Partnerships oriented around sectors such as AI, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and services could drive job creation, especially for youth with technical and managerial skills. Investments often come with capacity-building programs and university-industry tie-ups, expanding employment opportunities.
2. Infrastructure and Urban Development
Major global investments frequently catalyze domestic projects — such as smart cities, transit networks, and digital infrastructure — that elevate living standards. For example, initiatives like the proposed Bharat Future City signal long-term planning intended to transform urban living.
3. Global Credibility and Investor Confidence
Recognition by international institutions like the WEF can strengthen investor confidence and encourage more foreign direct investment (FDI). As Telangana’s economic policies become clearer and more aligned with global norms, investors may perceive reduced risk.
4. Socio-Economic Inclusion
Aligning with global partnerships also offers opportunities to tackle social priorities — such as healthcare access, skill training, and environmental sustainability — by leveraging international expertise and funds.
Challenges and Criticisms
Ambitious global engagement does not come without challenges:
Implementation Uncertainties
Proposals like the follow-up forum in Hyderabad still require detailed planning, funding, and buy-in from WEF stakeholders — none of which are guaranteed.
Balancing Local Needs and Global Aspirations
Critics argue that while global outreach is important, attention to local issues — such as job creation in rural areas, agricultural distress, and public services — needs equal emphasis. There is no guarantee that international investments directly translate into broad-based development without targeted policies.
Geopolitical and Economic Risks
Global economic volatility — including supply chain disruptions, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical tensions — can impact investment flows, regardless of policy strategy.
Future Outlook: What Comes Next
The engagement between Telangana and the World Economic Forum points toward three broad future trends:
1. Institutionalized Global Engagement
If the proposed annual Hyderabad forum takes shape, Telangana could position itself as a regional hub for international economic dialogue — a notable achievement for a sub-national entity.
2. Expansion of Innovation Ecosystems
With initiatives like the Telangana AI Innovation Hub and strategic policies for life sciences, the state could become a testbed for frontier technologies, drawing capital and talent globally.
3. Progressive Investment Climate
Sustained relationships with global institutions can reassure investors and smooth policy pipelines, potentially leading to multi-year project cycles rather than one-off deals.
Conclusion
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s meeting with the Managing Director of the World Economic Forum reflects a broader shift in how Indian states engage on the global economic stage. It is less about symbolism and more about building partnerships, enhancing competitiveness, and driving long-term economic transformation.
Whether these global linkages translate into tangible benefits for citizens will depend on how effectively strategies are translated into policy action, investment execution, and inclusive growth frameworks. Yet, the effort underscores Telangana’s intent to shape its future on its own terms, blending regional ambition with global collaboration.