At the News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, the focus was on finance as a pivotal element in India's economic development. Hitesh Sethia from Jio Financial Services introduced the Jio Finance app, a platform that integrates loans, insurance, and investments into a single marketplace, aiming to simplify financial decisions for users. Sethia emphasized the need for trust and transparency in financial services, stating that the app will offer a hyper-personalized experience tailored to individual financial profiles. The summit also featured a panel discussion with Rajiv Memani of EY India and Santosh Iyer of Mercedes-Benz India, who highlighted the disparity between the rapid financialization of the economy and the slower pace of corporate research and development (R&D). Memani warned that while some companies may struggle, others will thrive by leveraging technology. Iyer pointed out that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) could serve as significant catalysts for growth, advocating for a sustainable, consumer-driven economic model. The discussions underscored that India's future economic success will hinge on innovation, technology, and strategic execution.