WEF Report: Geoeconomic Conflicts Top Global Risk for 2026; India Faces Cyber, Inequality Threats

• The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report identifies geoeconomic conflicts as the biggest global risk for 2026, with 18% of respondents citing it.
• State-based armed conflicts, like the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Iran conflict in 2025, are the second biggest global risk at 14%.
• Extreme weather events rank third globally in the short term, but environmental risks like climate change and biodiversity loss remain top long-term concerns.
• For India, cybersecurity is highlighted as the biggest risk due to increasing reliance on digital infrastructure, alongside wealth inequality and inadequate social safety nets.
• The report also warns of potential slowdowns, external shocks, and water security issues, specifically mentioning the Indus River Basin, as risks for India.

Why It Matters: Geoeconomic conflicts and state-based wars are immediate global threats, while India faces cybersecurity and inequality risks.