CargoNXT’s NextGen Logistics & SCM Summit 2026 – South India Edition united leaders to drive Viksit Bharat through intelligent logistics.
The NextGen Logistics & SCM Summit 2026- South India Edition, organised by CargoNXT, concluded successfully on 22 January 2026 at Hyatt Centric, Bengaluru, bringing together policymakers, industry veterans, technology leaders, and supply chain practitioners to deliberate on the future of India’s logistics ecosystem.
Anchored around the powerful theme “Building Viksit Bharat with Intelligent Logistics & Supply Chain,” the Summit emerged as a vibrant platform for ideas, insights, and action-oriented dialogue, reinforcing logistics as a nation-building engine rather than a backend function.
A Thoughtful Beginning with Policy and Vision
The Summit commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolising knowledge, clarity, and new beginnings. The inaugural session featured keynote addresses by Shri N. Sivasailam, IAS (Retd.), Former Special Secretary (Logistics), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, and Shri N. V. Prasad, IAS, Transport Secretary, Government of Karnataka.
Both speakers underscored the critical role of integrated, technology-driven logistics in enhancing India’s competitiveness, strengthening trade, and supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Their addresses set the tone for a day focused on integration, innovation, sustainability, and collaborative leadership.
High-Impact Business Sessions Driving Real Conversations
Across four curated business sessions, the Summit witnessed rich discussions on smart logistics, unified trade infrastructure, intelligent supply chains, and future-ready ecosystems.
Business Session 1: India’s Smart Logistics – Integrate, Innovate & Elevate, moderated by P. Balasubramanian, Founder & CEO, ACCIS, explored how technology, automation, and process innovation are redefining efficiency across logistics and supply chains. The session featured eminent industry leaders including:
- J. Krishnan – Partner, S. Natyesa Iyer Logistics LLP
- Chandrakala Bobba – Director, Bobba Group
- Tannistha Ganguly – Associate Director – Supply Chain Warehouse Management Systems (IT), Kimberly-Clark
- Saurabh Kumar – Chief Executive Officer – Retail & FMCG, Kaleesuwari Befinery Pvt. Ltd.
- Girish Narayan – Honorary Secretary, Bangalore Custom House Agents Association
- Laurence Jacobi – Former Cargo Manager (Telangana & Andhra Pradesh), Emirates SkyCargo
- Jagatpati Jha – Vice President – Projects, GSN Freight Forwarding India
Business Session 2: India in Motion – Transforming Trade through Unified Logistics, moderated by Fletcher Samuel, Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, highlighted the power of multimodal integration across ports, airports, railways, and roadways. The session featured eminent industry leaders including:
- Shyam Yadav – Global Lead – IT & Supply Chain, Cargill
- Pallavi Nigam – Head – Projects & Digital – India Supply Chain, Mondelēz International
- Anurag Mishra – Group Head – Quality and Food Safety, Shree Renuka Sugars Ltd.
- Ramesh Prabhu – Superintendent Foreign Post Officer, India Post
- Mahadeva B.S. – Vice President – Operations, Menzies Aviation (Bengaluru) Pvt. Ltd.
- Imran Ahmed – Head – Business Development (Cargo Solutions), Air India SATS
Business Session 3: India’s Intelligent Logistics – Powering Innovation, Connectivity & Growth, moderated by Manish Kansal, Industry Expert, focused on AI, digital platforms, and data-led decision-making transforming supply chains across FMCG, retail, pharma, and e-commerce. The session featured eminent industry leaders including:
- Vinayaka Gangavathi – Head – Procurement (Projects & Admin), BigBasket
- Mihir Paramane – Planning & Logistics Head – FMCG, Reliance Consumer Products Limited, Reliance Retail
- Santosh Kumar – Vice President – Growth and COO – New Channels, FreshToHome
Business Session 4: India’s Next Leap – Smart Supply Chains for a Viksit Bharat, moderated by Samir J. Shah, President, ACAAI, examined supply chains as strategic pillars of national growth, resilience, and global competitiveness. The session featured eminent industry leaders including:
- Yogesh Mehta – Joint President – Logistics, Shree Cement
- Seetharaman Srinivasan – Director – SCM & Customer Service, Harman International India Pvt. Ltd.
- Sachin Jaikishan Bajaj – Global Lead – Supply Chain and Strategy, AkzoNobel
- Anubhav Agnihotri – Head of Supply Chain & Inventory, Clicktech Retail
- Anirban Sanyal – Head – Supply Chain and National Logistics, Century Plyboards (I) Ltd.
The sessions featured senior leaders from organisations such as Kimberly-Clark, Cargill, Mondelēz International, Reliance Retail, Shree Cement, AkzoNobel, Harman International, Century Plyboards, FreshToHome, Wilmar Group, Menzies Aviation and more; bringing together diverse perspectives from manufacturing, aviation, retail, FMCG, infrastructure, and customs.
Industry, Associations, and Ecosystem Collaboration
A key highlight of the Summit was the strong participation and felicitation of leading industry associations, recognising their continued contribution to strengthening India’s logistics and trade ecosystem. Associations felicitated included:
- Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI)
- Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI)
- Air Cargo Forum of India (ACFI)
- Bangalore Custom House Agents Association Limited (BCHAAL)
- Bangalore Air Cargo Club (BACC)
The Summit also featured an insightful corporate presentation by Dushyant Mulani, Immediate Past Chairman, FFFAI, who shared perspectives on geopolitical developments and their implications for global trade and Indian logistics.
Mindful Leadership for a High-Pressure Industry
Adding a unique human dimension to the event, a special session in collaboration with the Art of Living Foundation addressed stress management, resilience, and mindful leadership; key aspects often overlooked in high-pressure logistics environments. The session was led by Saurabh Jain and Nishtha Pangle, blending corporate experience with wellness practices.
A Day of Ideas, Energy, and Meaningful Connections
Interspersed with networking breaks, an engaging quiz session, and vibrant discussions, the Summit fostered not just knowledge-sharing but also collaboration and relationship-building, true to the spirit of logistics as a people-driven industry.
Looking Ahead
Concluding the Summit, the founders of CargoNXT reiterated their commitment to creating platforms that bridge policy, industry, and innovation, while nurturing dialogue that leads to execution.
The NextGen Logistics & SCM Summit 2026 left participants with renewed clarity, stronger partnerships, and a shared resolve to shape intelligent, resilient, and inclusive supply chains that will power India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat.
About CargoNXT
CargoNXT is a knowledge and networking platform dedicated to advancing conversations across logistics, supply chain, air cargo, and trade through summits, recognitions, and industry-led initiatives.
