Davos 2026: Martin Sorrell Declares 'Modi is on Fire' as India Shines

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on fire, said Martin Sorrell, Chairman, S4Capital, a digital advertising and marketing services company, referring to India's strong growth. Speaking to Moneycontrol at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 19, Sorrell noted that while America's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to increase by 2.8 percent this year, India's will grow by 6 percent. "GDP in America is forecast to increase by 2.6-2.8 percent. The world is probably going to grow a little bit under three percent. China five percent. India (will grow by a) stellar six percent. Modi is on fire," he said. He also thinks of India as a pocket of growth. "India can be a pocket of growth. As you look around the world, India would be right up there as the fifth largest economy in the world. India is a beacon of growth. For companies particularly in an Asian context, India provides a tremendous alternative." "....Indian entrepreneurs have got a big presence in Davos this year. They are superb and they are growing their position around the world. Whether it's Ambani, Mahindra or Mittal, they have done an extraordinary job not just in an Indian context but now increasingly abroad." On Modi's leadership and the way he has dealt with Trump and the US- India trade, Sorrell called it a super job. "He has done a super job. I think he understands brands. He would be a great proponent for our (advertising) industry. There were some concerns about the positions he is taking among some people but I disagree. I think he is taking the right position, playing both ends." Previously also, Sorrell has called Modi the ultimate master of branding and that he has done a superb job on positioning India. The ad guru has called Modi a great ad man in the past.