World on precipice as trade, tech become weapons: WEF

‘The world is balancing on a precipice as trade, finance and technology are being wielded as weapons of influence, an annual World Economic Forum (WEF) survey released on Wednesday said.

- RUCHIKA CHITRAVANSHI

The survey of 1,300 global leaders and experts found that geoeconomic confrontation and state-based armed conflict are seen as the two biggest risks the world will face in 2026.

WEF's Global Risks Report 2026 listed cyber insecurity, inequality of wealth and income, insufficient public services and economic downturn among the top risks for India. State-based armed conflict — including proxy wars, civil unrest, coups and terrorism — was ranked as the fifth biggest risk for the country. The report also flagged the Indus River Basin between India and Pakistan as a potential flashpoint over the next decade.