Be it a country or business, winners navigate uncertainty successfully: Anand Mahindra pens motivating note – CNBC TV18

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra shared a motivating note recently,  a candid and sweeping reflection on the shifting contours of global trade and economic realignment. He described the current environment as “another such churning, another such mega-trend,” pointing to the rise of protectionism, fragmented supply chains, and realigned geopolitical equations that are reshaping how countries and corporations engage with the world.

Titled “Chairman’s note”, seemingly written to highlight the current burgeoning issues that are plaguing the world, Mahindra wrote, “Today’s turmoil is another such churning, another such mega-trend…” possibly likening the current disruptions to historical economic inflection points. He pointed out to the growing wave of protectionism, initially ignited by the Trump-era tariffs, that has since fuelled retaliatory action, fractured alliances, and reshaped supply chains worldwide.

While recent US moves — such as renewed engagement with the UK and tariff talks with China — suggest a more layered approach, Mahindra warned, “Significant decoupling between the US and China” remains likely. This uncertainty has already slowed global trade and dampened investor sentiment, leaving industries like electronics and consumer goods vulnerable to rising input costs.

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“Many nations will have to swallow some poison,” Mahindra cautioned, drawing an evocative comparison to the Hindu deity Shiva, who held poison in his throat to protect the world. “The challenge will be to minimise the adverse effects… without letting it spread.”

Turning to India, Mahindra highlighted the country’s large trade deficit, vulnerabilities in core sectors like steel and aluminium, and the impact of global fragmentation on GDP aspirations. Yet he saw opportunity amid adversity. “China’s adversarial stance may create opportunities for India to position itself as a supply chain alternative,” he said, calling for a renewed focus on manufacturing, innovation, and private investment.

Anand Mahindra acknowledged the delicate and often tense dynamics with India’s neighbor, describing the relationship as “volatile” but expressing optimism that India could assert its limits without derailing its economic rise.

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In a global environment defined by flux, Mahindra closed with a call to action that resonated beyond boardrooms and borders: “Whether it be a country or a business, the winners will be the ones who can successfully navigate uncertainty and ambiguity — the ones who are resilient.”