‘Era of uncertainty carries big opportunities’: N Chandrasekaran

NEW DELHI: Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran, in his year-end message to employees on Wednesday, said companies that deliver on commitments, foster collaboration across teams, and take calculated risks will be best positioned to navigate volatility and create long-term stability. “For India and for the Tata Group, this era of uncertainty carries with it big strategic opportunities. Realignments create openings for youthful, dynamic economies like ours. For our group, the coming years can be the most successful in our long history,” he said. The conglomerate plans to accelerate AI and data initiatives, expand advanced manufacturing, and strengthen future-ready talent skilled in emerging technologies. Sustainability remains a priority, with initiatives like green steel production and electric mobility continuing to scale. The Tata Group chairman stressed the importance of resilience, citing cybersecurity, operational, and geopolitical risks, and highlighted programs like the Tata Transformation Prize, which support Indian scientists in sustainability, health, and food security. Tata Group’s 2026 strategy aims to convert uncertainty into opportunity, drive innovation, and strengthen India’s position as a global manufacturing and technology hub. Describing 2025 as a “humbling year” with “unrelenting unpredictability”, he said the year was full of difficult moments. He recalled the crash of Air India flight 171 in Ahmedabad that affected “us all”. “On a positive note, global growth has held steadier than expected amid rampant volatility,” he said. “India’s economic growth continues to stand out, underscoring that it is on the path to become the world’s third largest economy this decade.” While there was progress, heightened geopolitical tensions created more operational challenges, while technology advanced faster than regulators could keep up with.