- By Aditya Pratap Singh
- Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
TIME 100 Summit: Nita Ambani, Chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, highlighted a compelling vision of India's pivotal role in global affairs at the TIME 100 Summit in New York. Talking to Time Magazine CEO Jessica Sibley, she explicitly stated that the world is in greater need of soft power—the influence derived from cultural and humanitarian efforts—than hard power, which relies on military strength or economic coercion.
Ambani emphasised that "India’s time has come on the global stage" and that the nation is emerging as a prime example of this influential soft power. She was participating in a "Leadership Lens" discussion and used the platform to assert a fundamental shift in global priorities and the rise of India in terms of global influence through its soft power.
Ambani Advocates Cultural and Humanitarian Influence
A primary highlight of the conversation was Ambani’s powerful advocacy for soft power. She clearly defined soft power as cultural and humanitarian influence, contrasting it with hard power, characterised by military or economic pressure. The Reliance Foundation chairman emphasised India's growing prominence on the global stage through this lens, succinctly stating:
"The world doesn't need more hard power. It needs soft power—and India represents that,” Ambai said. Her conversation was centred around the increasing necessity and significance of India’s cultural influence in shaping the international landscape.
Leadership Needs A Human Centric Approach
Beyond national vision, Ambani shared her personal insights on leadership, vision, and legacy. She said that a leadership philosophy guided by compassion and intuition moves away from traditional authority-based models. She argued for adopting a more human-centred paradigm for achieving success in the contemporary professional environment.
Presents India As The Future Global Fashion Capital
In the conversation with CEO Sibley, Nita also highlighted the depth of India's cultural and it’s impact on global fashion. She presented India as the future global fashion. Her major remarks underscore the comprehensive and growing importance of India’s cultural and creative footprint on the world stage.