“Smell the Chai, Not The Coffee”

Speaking at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, BW Businessworld's Chairman & Editor-in-Chief called on the world to recognise India's geopolitical confidence, soft power and civilisational leadership as it defines a new global narrative Team BW

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ON 21 JUNE 2025, Annurag Batra, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of BW Businessworld Media Group and Founder of exchange4media, took the stage at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School to deliver a message to the world — it is time to see India differently. Speaking at the Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre during a special forum, Batra stood alongside prominent Indian voices, including spiritual leader Gauranga Das and BJP Foreign Affairs Department head Vijay Chauthaiwale. Batra's address, a stirring stand on India's place in the new world order, blended sharp geopolitical insight, cultural commentary, and personal storytelling, punctuated with a symbolic invitation to the audience to “smell the chai”. This wasn't just about tea, he clarified, but about tuning into the rich, pluralistic essence of modern India.

India's Confident Stride

Opening with nostalgic imagery of sipping chai in Delhi with his parents, Batra made a compelling case for India's transformation from a polite observer in global affairs to a confident influencer rewriting the rules. “India is no more a shy kid at a global party,” he said, referencing Prime Minister Modi's growing prominence on multilateral platforms, including the G7, where world leaders now actively seek India's perspective.