India can be a global unifying force to be reckoned with: McKinsey's Bob Sternfels

Mumbai: India's big opportunity lies in being a global unifier that brings together countries and regions that may not otherwise be in harmony with each other, said Bob Sternfels, global managing partner at McKinsey & Co. It could not only be the link between the US and China but also with other parts of the world, Sternfels, 54, told ET in an interview, underscoring the benefits of the country's youth.

"Increasingly, India's leading companies are global companies, not just Indian companies," said Sternfels, a self-confessed Indophile. "So, the upside is real - if India can walk that tightrope, staying connected to everyone, that's the real opportunity."

He said India's decade of "miraculous progress" is unmatched in scale and speed, but it's now time for a gear shift.

"It's like a marathon - most want to just finish. But the winners change gears in the second half. And, for India, the window is now, when India is young. India has around 30 years before it becomes an ageing society," he said. "Youth is India's advantage, and we need to move faster, not settle for 5.5% or 6% growth. Can we push for 7% or 8%?"

The McKinsey CEO said the Indian economy needs a jolt to grow faster. The leap will come from increased capital and foreign direct investment (FDI), and an education system that prioritises learning agility over static knowledge, Sternfels said.