Ratul Puri on Representing Indian Industry at the World Economic Forum
For more than a decade, Ratul Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power, has brought conversations around India's energy sector to one of the world's most influential platforms, the World Economic Forum. As a Young Global Leader and an active WEF partner, Ratul Puri has used this platform not only to discuss his company's perspective but also to highlight the wider ambitions and challenges faced by Indian industry as it responds to an energy transition that continues to evolve globally.
Global forums such as Davos can sometimes seem far removed from the practical realities of developing infrastructure in emerging markets. However, he has consistently used his participation to connect these two perspectives, bringing the practical challenges of expanding clean energy in India into discussions with global policymakers, investors, and industry peers. This ability to connect detailed industry realities with broader policy discussions has made Ratul Puri a recurring participant in WEF engagements over the years.
A Track Record of Global Engagement
In 2016, Ratul Puri Chairman led a discussion on climate resilience at the World Economic Forum. The engagement reflected India's increasing role in global discussions about how emerging economies can balance economic growth with decarbonisation. His participation was not limited to a single appearance. He has continued to engage with the Forum over the years as part of a group of Indian industry representatives who participate in these conversations consistently.
That continued engagement is important because global energy and policy discussions are rarely resolved in one meeting. They develop through years of dialogue, relationship building, and continued participation. By returning to the WEF platform over time, Puri has been able to contribute a perspective that considers both the ambitions and practical limitations influencing India's energy sector.
A Message Rooted in Realism
One of the key themes in his WEF engagements is that India cannot simply adopt energy transition models developed for advanced economies. A country of India's size, energy requirements, and economic ambitions needs a pathway that considers affordability, grid preparedness, access to financing, and energy security for more than a billion people while continuing to increase the use of cleaner energy sources.
This is a theme Ratul Puri has discussed across different platforms, including WEF. It reflects the idea that global climate discussions become more practical when they take into account the operating realities of emerging markets along with the broader ambitions of developed economies. His participation in these forums has often brought this practical perspective into wider conversations around the energy transition.
Connecting Global Dialogue to Domestic Policy
Ratul Puri's international engagement is closely connected with his work on domestic industry and policy matters. As Chairman of the Power Committee at CII – Northern Region, Ratul Puri has worked on issues including financing structures, regulatory clarity, and grid infrastructure that can support India's renewable energy targets. He has also co-chaired the Energy track at the India National Strategy Day, contributing to discussions on innovative financing models for the sector. These subjects also form part of the way India's energy story is discussed with international audiences.
The connection between domestic policy discussions and participation on global platforms adds context to Puri's WEF engagements. His involvement is not limited to commenting on India's energy transition from an external perspective. It also includes participation in discussions around financing, regulations, and industry positions that influence how the transition develops on the ground.
Why This Matters
India's energy transition is closely connected with its wider economic growth story. As the country works toward its 2030 non-fossil fuel capacity targets, the participation of Indian industry voices on international platforms such as the World Economic Forum can contribute to discussions around international capital, policy support, partnerships, and infrastructure development.
Through continued participation at Davos and in WEF working groups, Ratul Puri has contributed to bringing India's practical energy-sector challenges into global policy discussions. This helps keep conversations around India's energy transition connected to the realities of infrastructure development, financing, energy demand, and the country's broader economic requirements.
About Ratul Puri
Ratul Puri is the Chairman of Hindustan Power, an integrated power generation company with a strong presence in renewable and transitional energy generation. Over the years, Ratul Puri has been involved in the development of large-scale energy infrastructure projects that support India’s growing power requirements and its transition toward cleaner energy sources.
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