CII Vice President Shashwat Goenka has urged Indian businesses to adopt 'antifragile' operating models to thrive amidst global economic volatility. Speaking at the CII National Leadership Summit in Mumbai, the RPSG Group Vice Chairman emphasized that agility is essential for securing a position in global supply chains. This strategic call comes as major conglomerates, including the RPSG Group, align their capital structures for long-term expansion.
Shashwat Goenka, Vice President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Vice Chairman of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka (RPSG) Group, addressed the National Leadership Summit in Mumbai on October 7, 2026. His message centered on the need for Indian enterprises to move beyond simple resilience—which focuses on surviving shocks—and toward an 'antifragile' framework. This approach encourages companies to design business models that improve and evolve when exposed to market disruptions, such as geopolitical realignments and rapid technological shifts.
Moving Beyond Resilience in Uncertain Markets
For investors, the distinction lies in how a company handles uncertainty. Goenka argued that relying on traditional, rigid five-year planning cycles is no longer sufficient in an era defined by fast-paced change. He outlined three pillars for corporate leaders: detecting early signals of disruption, maintaining a culture of constant reinvention, and balancing the speed of execution with long-term strategic judgment. In practice, this means that companies must be willing to update their business models continuously rather than waiting for stability to return to the global economy.
This call for agility carries significant weight as domestic firms increasingly participate in complex global value chains. Leaders are currently facing a dual challenge: they must invest in new-age technologies and sustainability mandates while managing risks such as volatile energy prices, high logistics costs, and the need for capital discipline.
RPSG Group Strategy and Future Capital Allocation
This strategic focus on growth and agility is reflected in the recent corporate actions of the RPSG Group. At the group's 9th Annual General Meeting held in September 2026, shareholders approved key resolutions, including the reappointment of Shashwat Goenka as a director and an enhancement of the company’s borrowing limits. For stakeholders, such moves are typical of large conglomerates preparing for capital-intensive expansion phases.
However, expanding operations naturally introduces risks. Investors typically monitor how companies manage these borrowing limits, particularly regarding interest coverage ratios and the ability to maintain profitability across diverse sectors like power, retail, and media. The ability of the group to execute its expansion plans without putting pressure on its financial health—specifically its Return on Equity (ROE)—remains a critical monitorable for the market.
Looking ahead, the success of the 'antifragile' approach will likely be measured by how effectively Indian companies balance their expansion ambitions with fiscal responsibility. The market will continue to look for cues in upcoming quarterly results regarding how well these conglomerates are managing their debt, optimizing their operational margins, and maintaining their competitive advantage amidst rising input costs and global supply chain pressures.