NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAY 23
India’s rapidly evolving gold economy took centre stage at the 9th edition of the IGPC-IIMA Annual Gold and Gold Markets Conference 2026, where leading voices from industry, academia and policymaking came together to deliberate on how technology, governance and innovation can transform India into a global gold powerhouse.
Organised by the India Gold Policy Centre (IGPC) at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, the two-day conference held at Bharat Mandapam witnessed intense discussions on the future of gold markets under the theme — “Trust by Design – The New Tech-Powered Gold Economy.”
- Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad hosts 9th IGPC-IIMA Annual Gold and Gold Markets Conference 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Experts deliberate on AI, digital governance, tokenisation and technology-led reforms transforming India’s gold economy
- Sridhar Vembu and Hasmukh Adhia stress trust-driven innovation and financialisation of gold
- Conference pitches bold roadmap to position India as the “Gold Capital of the World” and a global price-setter nation
India’s Gold Economy Enters a New Era
The conference emerged as a high-voltage platform examining how artificial intelligence, digital governance, blockchain-enabled systems, tokenisation and financial innovation are reshaping both global and Indian gold markets.
The event brought together senior government officials, economists, bullion experts, jewellers, refiners, exchanges, bankers, researchers and policy strategists to debate the future of India’s gold trade ecosystem amid global economic uncertainty and evolving supply chains.
The conference was inaugurated by Professor Bharat Bhasker, Director of IIMA; Professor Sundaravalli Narayanaswami, Chairperson, IGPC; Mr. Amit Singla from the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance; and Mr. Sachin Jain, India CEO, World Gold Council.
Sridhar Vembu Pushes for Technology-Led Gold Transformation
Delivering one of the most talked-about keynote addresses, Sridhar Vembu highlighted the urgent need for India to build world-class indigenous technologies for gold markets.
He emphasised that gold should evolve from being a passive asset into productive economic capital capable of driving growth and innovation.
Dr. Vembu stressed that trust in gold markets cannot rely solely on regulation but must be deeply embedded across systems, institutions and market architecture.
Industry experts noted that his address resonated strongly with the conference’s core message — technology and trust must work together to unlock the full economic potential of gold in India.
Bold Vision to Make India the “Gold Capital of the World”
One of the major highlights of the conference was a transformative policy roadmap presented by Professor Sundaravalli Narayanaswami, Chairperson of IGPC.
She proposed:
- Consolidating bullion imports through a unified channel
- Leasing overseas gold mines via hybrid annuity PPP models
- Bringing household gold into the formal economy through a proposed “Gold Trust of India”
- Creating a dedicated ministry or institutional body such as “Swarn Shakti” for precious metals governance
The proposals aim to strengthen India’s role not merely as a consumer of gold but as a global pricing and trading hub.
Professor Narayanaswami underlined that India’s gold industry stands at a critical inflection point driven by financialisation, changing supply chains and digital transformation.
Hasmukh Adhia Calls for Smarter Gold Policies
Hasmukh Adhia, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister of Gujarat, delivered a keynote address drawing from his extensive experience in economic governance.
He stressed the importance of:
- Managing gold imports strategically
- Strengthening gold financialisation
- Developing India’s gold pricing capability
- Avoiding reactionary policy interventions
His speech reinforced the need for long-term policy stability to help India emerge as a globally influential gold market.
Focus on Digital Gold, Governance and Regulation
The conference also featured six high-impact panel discussions on:
- Digital and tokenised gold markets
- Gold trade policy reforms
- Technology-driven governance
- Self-regulation in gold markets
- Consumer behaviour and investment trends
- Building trusted market infrastructure
Experts from commodity exchanges, rating agencies, bullion trade, banking and fintech sectors highlighted how technology-driven transparency and governance are becoming central to the future of gold trading.
Academic Insights Add Depth to Gold Market Debate
Academic and industry paper presentations explored:
- Cross-border trade practices
- Supply-chain disruptions
- Consumer preference shifts
- Geopolitical uncertainty
- Investment demand trends
- Financialisation of gold assets
Participants agreed that collaborative policy reform and technology-led transformation are essential for India to fully realise the economic potential of its massive gold ecosystem.
IIMA’s Global Leadership in Policy and Management
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad continues to strengthen its reputation as one of India’s premier management and policy institutions with global recognition across education, research and industry collaboration.
The conference further reinforced IIMA’s growing role in shaping high-impact economic and policy discussions at the national and international level.
