Donald Trump looms over World Economic Forum even as top Indian business leaders give Davos a miss

Donald Trump

Luxury cars are rolling in, helicopters buzz overhead, and police officers patrol the promenade in big numbers—Davos, the highest town in Europe nestled in the Swiss Alps, is once again coming alive as the World Economic Forum's (WEF's) annual meeting kicks off this Monday.

Once a mountain health resort that hosted authors such as Robert Louis Stevenson and Arthur Conan Doyle, this alpine town in Switzerland has become synonymous with WEF’s jet-setting global elite for the last five decades.

However, one man sitting around 6,800 km away is likely to overshadow the usual discussions around trade, currency, climate and inclusivity this year.

Trump trumps Davos

The start of the 55th annual World Economic Forum on January 20 coincides with Donald Trump’s return to the White House for a second term as US president.

The second Trump presidency is being viewed as a watershed for the world, which will likely test the limits of international relations. There is already buzz on a volley of executive orders that Trump is expected to issue as soon as he takes charge.

While the WEF continues to champion global cooperation, it is in a stark contrast to Trump's "America First" call — a sharp shift from the globalisation agenda that defines Davos.

Trump's virtual address on January 23 is one of the most anticipated sessions this year. In his third appearance at this gathering in recent years, Trump will not only deliver a speech but also interact with delegates, WEF president Borge Brende has said.

Missing in action: India Inc Davos regulars

While America dominates discourse — with at least three sessions focussed on the US presidency, economy and dollar, India’s corporate presence at Davos appears thin this year.

The reception hosted by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and his author-philanthropist wife Rohini Nilekani at the software major's lounge has been a consistent feature of past forums. Leading economists Raghuram Rajan and Gita Gopinath were regular fixtures at these gatherings where conversations would unfold over Indian dishes crafted by acclaimed chef Manu Chandra, specially brought to Davos. Nandan and Rohini Nilekani will not be at Davos this year.

Also missing from the list are other regulars such as telecom tycoon Sunil Bharti Mittal, GV Prasad of Dr Reddy’s and Ajit Gulabchand of HCC. CII president Sanjiv Puri and Invest India CEO Nivruti Rai will also not participate. While Mittal and Prasad have board meetings in the coming days, it wasn’t immediately clear why others skipped the hike to Switzerland.

One nation, one pavilion

The India contingent is still putting up a huge show of strength, led by union ministers and six states. As Moneycontrol reported first, for the first time in years, six Indian state delegations attending the WEF will share a joint space.

From the Centre includes Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & IT, K. Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State in the Education Department, CR Patil, Union Minister of Jal Shakti and Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT.

At least three Indian Chief Ministers -- Devendra Fadnavis, Chandrababu Naidu and Revanth Reddy -- will join over 100 CEOs and other leaders from India in Davos this week. Other state representatives include Nara Lokesh and TG Bharath from Andhra Pradesh, TRB Rajaa from Tamil Nadu, Suresh Kumar Khanna from Uttar Pradesh and P Rajeeve from Kerala.

Davos in numbers

Overall, 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries are expected at WEF 2025 - demonstrating the critical need for dialogue in an increasingly uncertain era.

As many as 350 governmental leaders, including 60 heads of state and governments, from all key regions will gather in Davos-Klosters to address pressing challenges and shape emerging opportunities.