Davos Summit 2026 Live: Himanta Biswa Sarma becomes first Assam CM to attend Davos, set to showcase state's potential

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 begins today, January 19, in Davos, Switzerland, bringing together global leaders from governments, businesses, civil society, and academia to address pressing international challenges. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, with reports indicating his focus will be on housing affordability. The theme for this year, “A Spirit of Dialogue,” underscores the importance of open communication, cooperation, and trust among world leaders.

While not a formal policy-setting event, Davos serves as a key forum that can shape global agendas and influence markets and investor sentiment. The annual meeting provides a platform for networking, agenda-setting, and signaling priorities on economic growth, sustainability, and international cooperation.

European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Friedrich Merz, reaffirmed their commitment to protect Greenland and Denmark’s sovereignty. The statement follows US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 10% tariffs from February and 25% from June on European nations if Greenland is not negotiated. Trump cited national security concerns, claiming Denmark failed to counter the Russian threat to Greenland. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke with Trump and will meet him in Davos during the World Economic Forum to discuss Arctic security. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK stressed that Trump’s tariff threats risk undermining transatlantic relations.

Ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026, Davos has entered a high-security mode, with Swiss Army anti-aircraft cannons and strict access measures along the town. Hotels, shops, and churches on the Promenade have been repurposed as exhibition spaces, with countries and companies showcasing their pavilions.

Saudi Arabia and India have prominent displays, while Ukraine highlights the realities of Russia’s war. The US pavilion will celebrate its 250th anniversary with events on AI and space exploration. Despite tight preparations, the town remains calm, with locals and visitors navigating alongside security teams. The forum kicks off today, hosting over 3,000 leaders from 130+ countries for five days of discussions.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday attended a video conference chaired by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to review preparations for the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos. Soren said India’s approach reflects strong coordination, noting, “One India, One Vision.. The spirit of cooperation and dialogue is clearly reflected in India's preparations for the upcoming #WEF2026.”

He informed the minister about Jharkhand’s plans to showcase opportunities in critical minerals, electronics manufacturing, EVs, renewable energy, tourism, and textiles. The state will participate under the theme of unlocking new sources of growth and cooperation in a contested world. Meanwhile, a high-level UP delegation has also arrived in Zurich for the WEF, which is expected to see record global participation this year.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will attend the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, focusing on attracting investment and strengthening the state’s growth journey. In a post on X, he said he looks forward to “meaningful discussions and agreements to strengthen our growth journey.” CM Sarma will participate in over 17 meetings, sign multiple MoUs, and engage on themes like workforce development, tourism, health, and digital initiatives. Assam’s participation is expected to open avenues for projects such as semiconductors and create new employment opportunities. The WEF brings together nearly 50 countries to discuss global economic growth, geopolitics, technology, and investment.

A high-level Uttar Pradesh delegation, led by Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, arrived in Zurich on Monday to participate in the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The visit aims to showcase the state as a global investment destination and support its USD 1 trillion economy target through infrastructure and technology-led growth. The delegation will engage with CEOs, investors, and global leaders on innovation, digital infrastructure, and transformative technologies. Ambassador of India to Switzerland Mridul Kumar welcomed the team and briefed them on their scheduled engagements. The WEF 2026 brings together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.”

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will visit Davos, Switzerland, from January 20 to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meetings, aiming to promote the state as a top investment destination. Before departing, he will offer prayers at the Sammakka-Saralamma shrine and inaugurate the Maha Jatara. At the four-day forum, CM Reddy will hold meetings with CEOs of global companies like Google, Infosys, L’Oreal, and Tata Group, and take part in international roundtables. The delegation will focus on attracting new investments and highlighting Telangana’s “Rising Telangana 2047 Vision Document” to global investors.

About 600 people took part in a two-day protest march toward Davos ahead of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, highlighting growing public discontent with the gathering of global leaders. The demonstrators, starting from Kublis, carried placards calling for “Democracy rather than WEF dictatorship” and criticised perceived elite influence over economic and environmental policies.

Organisers said the protest challenges systemic issues in global governance and calls for an economy prioritising public needs over elite interests. Participants included activists from Switzerland and abroad, aiming to raise visibility as high-profile leaders arrive in Davos. Security around Davos has been heightened, and protesters are set to join additional demonstrations organised by the youth wing of Switzerland’s Social Democratic Party.

The World Economic Forum has rejected calls to bar US President Donald Trump from this year’s Davos meeting, saying the idea of disinvitation “is irrelevant,” WEF Managing Director Alois Zwinggi told 20 Minuten. Zwinggi responded to Swiss Green Party President Lisa Mazzone’s request to prevent Trump’s participation, citing US involvement in Venezuela.

He emphasised that the forum provides a neutral space for debate, covering topics from artificial intelligence to sustainable prosperity under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue." Trump will attend Davos 2026 for the third time, alongside a large US delegation including Cabinet secretaries. Leaders from G7 and G20 countries will also be present, reflecting the forum’s commitment to fostering dialogue among diverse global voices.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived in Zurich on Saturday to represent his state at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos. Indian Ambassador to Switzerland Mridul Kumar welcomed him at the airport, while Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu congratulated him on the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s recent municipal election victory. Ahead of his departure, Fadnavis posted on X: “Determined to strengthen Magnetic Maharashtra as India's growth engine on the world stage. Look forward to newer MahaGrowth stories!”

The WEF 56th Annual Meeting runs from January 19 to 23, 2026, under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” bringing together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries. The forum provides a platform for governments, businesses, and civil society to address challenges like geopolitical tensions, slowing global growth, and technological change. Record participation is expected, with around 400 top political leaders, including nearly 65 heads of state and six G7 leaders, attending to discuss cooperation, trust-building, and global governance.

US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Davos after renewing sharp pressure on Europe over Greenland, shaking both the EU and NATO alliances. He has threatened fresh tariffs on Denmark and other EU countries, reviving tensions that European leaders had recently tried to manage.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed talks with Trump on Greenland and Arctic security, saying, “Spoke with POTUS regarding the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic.” Trump’s team has defended the stance, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying, “I believe that the Europeans will understand that the best outcome is for the U.S. to maintain or receive control of Greenland.” Bessent added, “We are the strongest country in the world. Europeans project weakness; the US projects strength.” EU leaders have called an emergency meeting as they weigh possible responses ahead of the WEF summit.

World Economic Forum President and CEO Børge Brende, speaking to CNBC-TV18, said Europe is conscious of avoiding being caught between competing global powers. He stressed that dialogue with the US will continue, given its importance as a key export market. Brende added that German leadership is engaging China immediately after Davos for direct dialogue. Commenting on the current global environment, he said, “Last comparable level of global complexity seen around 1945.”

India is expected to be the fastest-growing among the world’s major economies this year and could account for about 20 per cent of all global growth, World Economic Forum president Borge Brende told NDTV at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. “I still think this year it [India] will be the fastest growing of the large economies. And we have numbers now showing that India can maybe make up for 20 per cent of all the global growth,” he said.

Brende added that a trade agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump would be “helpful” on top of this growth. He attributed the bullish outlook to the pace of economic reforms in India under the Narendra Modi government. Brende also discussed broader global challenges, including geopolitical tensions and technological change, at the forum where nearly 3,000 leaders are gathered.

A Gujarat delegation is leaving for Davos to participate in the World Economic Forum, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said on Monday. He said the team will present the state’s ‘Developed Gujarat 2047’ vision and seek global investments in sectors such as electronics, defence, semiconductors, and renewable energy. The delegation will also focus on generating employment opportunities for the youth under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership.

A high-level delegation from Madhya Pradesh, led by State Minister for New and Renewable Energy Rakesh Shukla, arrived in Zurich on Sunday to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos.

The delegation is expected to showcase the state’s investment opportunities, particularly in the renewable energy sector, and hold meetings with global industry leaders and policymakers on the sidelines of the forum. The WEF Annual Meeting brings together political leaders, business executives, and experts from across the world to discuss key global economic and development challenges.