The Global Business Research Conference 2026 was inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), a deemed-to-be university under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada. The event, themed Managing Business Amidst Worldwide Turbulence, brought together academicians, policymakers, management educators and industry experts to consider challenges and opportunities in the global business environment.\n\nThe minister said that India remains one of the world's fastest-growing major economies despite global uncertainties and praised a long-term national vision focused on trade, manufacturing, innovation and technological capability. He noted progress in artificial intelligence and semiconductors and expanding global trade partnerships as evidence of India's growing international role. He expressed confidence that conference deliberations would yield recommendations to support policymaking and economic growth.\n\nThe vice-chancellor of IIFT outlined the institute's expanded research footprint and international collaborations and described the conference as a means to foster rigorous academic inquiry and policy research. He said geopolitical shifts, changing trade dynamics and technological disruption are reshaping the global business landscape and increased emphasis on evidence-based policy is required. The event aims to deepen dialogue among scholars, policymakers and institutional leaders on trade and competitiveness.\n\nSessions covered internationalisation strategies for business schools, the integration of artificial intelligence in management education, pedagogy in a shifting geopolitical context and measures to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education. Researchers presented work across finance, marketing, management, trade and competitiveness, operations and supply chain, information technology and public policy. A special session examined BRICS amid geopolitical turbulence in a multipolar world.\n\nParticipants included vice-chancellors, directors, deans and senior academic leaders from institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), IIT Bombay, the Indian School of Business and Management Development Institute Gurgaon, and doctoral scholars engaged with senior academics. The conference was scheduled to conclude on June five, 2026, with a valedictory session to present the conference report and to confer awards for outstanding research across thematic tracks.