Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada on Thursday, 4 June 2026 inaugurated the Global Business Research Conference (GBRC) 2026 at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New Delhi, a Deemed-to-be University under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The conference brought together academicians, policymakers, management educators, researchers, and industry experts from India and abroad to examine challenges and opportunities reshaping the global business environment.

Key Themes and Conference Structure

GBRC 2026 featured a series of Directors' Conclaves centred on internationalisation strategies for business schools, the integration of artificial intelligence in management education, pedagogy in a shifting geopolitical landscape, and the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education.

Research contributions spanned disciplines including finance, marketing, general management and strategy, global trade and business competitiveness, operations and supply chain management, information technology and analytics, and public policy and governance. A dedicated Doctoral Colloquium provided doctoral scholars a platform to engage with senior academics and domain experts, aimed at strengthening research quality and fostering scholarly collaboration.

What the Minister Said

Prasada highlighted India's advances in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and global trade partnerships as evidence of the country's expanding role in the international economy. He noted that despite prevailing global uncertainties, India continues to rank among the world's fastest-growing major economies.

The minister added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has pursued a long-term vision anchored in strengthening trade, manufacturing, innovation, and technological capabilities. He expressed confidence that deliberations at GBRC 2026 would yield actionable insights and recommendations to inform policymaking and support India's economic growth.

IIFT's Growing Research Footprint

IIFT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi said the institute has expanded its research presence and international collaborations while consolidating its standing as a centre of excellence in international business education and policy research. Through multiple technical sessions, researchers presented evidence-based findings addressing contemporary business challenges, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Significance and Broader Context

The conference arrives at a moment when India is actively positioning itself as a global manufacturing and technology hub, with policy attention on semiconductors and AI accelerating under the current administration. GBRC 2026 underscores IIFT's role in bridging academic research and trade policy — a function that gains relevance as India navigates complex multilateral trade negotiations and supply chain realignments globally. Notably, this edition's emphasis on AI in management education reflects a broader institutional push to align business school curricula with the demands of an increasingly technology-driven economy.