Uday Kotak, a prominent Indian banker and founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, expressed serious concerns about the current geopolitical climate during a speech at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) event in Mumbai on April 7. He warned that the ongoing conflict in West Asia, coupled with U.S. President Donald Trump's alarming rhetoric regarding Iran, suggests a potential return to global colonialism, akin to the early 20th century. Kotak stated, 'We are at a very important cusp of what I call a return of global colonialism,' urging that this situation requires attention. He highlighted the necessity for India to focus on developing its middle manufacturing sector, which he views as crucial for long-term economic resilience and self-reliance. Kotak called upon large corporations to invest more in research and innovation to enhance competitiveness. Meanwhile, Trump's recent social media posts have escalated fears regarding Iran, as he issued a dire warning that 'a whole civilization will die tonight' if tensions escalate further. His ultimatum to Iran has raised alarms about the potential for increased conflict in the region.