Harvard Professor Tarun Khanna: India Must Invest in Science to Escape Middle-Income Status and Achieve Superpower Potential

Tarun Khanna, the Jorge Paulo Lemann professor at Harvard Business School, emphasized that no country has successfully escaped middle-income status without significant investment in science.

During his presentation at the NDTV World Summit 2025, Khanna shared insights on India's scientific investment needs, educational options for students amid US uncertainty, climate change concerns, and India's potential to become a global superpower.

Addressing India's public investment in science, Khanna noted this challenge exists across developing countries. "I would like us all to internalize that no country has escaped middle-income status without investing in science ever. It has not happened, so we have to do it," he stated.

Khanna highlighted a concerning disconnect between business and science communities. He recalled an interaction with CEOs where only one had meaningfully engaged with scientists in the past year, pointing to a "cycle of mistrust" that needs resolution through experimentation.

On India's competitive position against China and the US, Khanna acknowledged India's advantages in its young population and large market. However, he cautioned, "If we don't have our own science and scientific prowess, we are always going to be hostage to somebody else who has a better set of cards to play."

The professor urged India to balance quick economic gains with long-term investments, citing China's example of achieving returns "100 times, 1,000 times, 10,000 times greater" than current Indian pursuits.

Regarding educational choices for Indian students, Khanna acknowledged the current uncertainty in US higher education. "Higher education is going through a tumultuous time, and Harvard is no exception," he said, advising students to consider all options including emerging Indian institutions like Ashoka, Plaksha and FLAME, as well as universities in Canada and the UK that are "capitalizing on the US uncertainty."

Khanna identified two concerning global trends: growing inequality and climate change. He noted that markets efficiently allocate resources but generate inequality, and expressed alarm about environmental thresholds: "The world has already gone over the tipping point for six out of seven environmental thresholds. We are in a very precarious place as a human race vis-a-vis using too much carbon."

In a lighthearted rapid-fire session, Khanna described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "hyper-prepared," while responding with "no idea" when asked about US President Donald Trump, drawing laughter from the audience.

Reflecting on the NDTV World Summit, Khanna expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds.