[9][10] In 1998, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee while addressing CII's National Conference & Annual Session urged to reform the government, industry and the common citizen.

[11] In 2007, the then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at CII Annual Session, invited corporate India to be a partner in making a more humane and just society where he emphasised a Ten-Point Social Charter for inclusive growth.

[13] The Prime Minister has subsequently addressed several CII occasions, including the post-Budget interaction on 30 July 2024, soon after assuming charge for the third consecutive term.

[15] For 2024–2025, Sanjiv Puri, Chairman & Managing Director, ITC Limited is the President of CII, Rajiv Memani, Chairman and CEO – EY India and Chair, EY Growth Markets Council is the President-Designate and R Mukundan, Managing Director & CEO, Tata Chemicals Limited is the Vice President of CII.

CII played a very important role during economic liberalisation in 1991 which knocked down the high walls of protection between Indian industry and the rest of the world.

[24] CII actively engages with central and state governments at various levels on issues facing Indian industry and society and recommends policies conducive to the development of India.

CII has set up dedicated Centers of Excellence to enhance the competitiveness of Indian industry through training, consultancy, and research.

[27][28][29][30][31][32] CII initiated industry engagement in the area of environment and climate change in 1991, when the landmark Rio Summit was held.

Since then, it has established four Centres of Excellence that work in the areas of climate change, air pollution, environment, sustainability, green building, energy, agriculture and water management.

Keeping this principle in mind, the CII Green Business Centre (GBC) was launched in March 2000 during the visit of the then U.S. President Bill Clinton to India.

[41][42] In 2011, the centre launched the GreenCo Rating system which evaluates how green a company is and suggests the way forward on resource conservation as well as energy and environmental management.

International activities include meeting with the Heads of State and Government, decision-makers, networking with counterpart organisations, multilateral and academic institutions, and other policy-making bodies.

[49][50] From 2013, CII has broadened its focus of work through more Regional and Country Committees like: Africa, ASEAN + ANZ, East Europe, GCC, LAC, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea and Sri Lanka.

[51] CII's International work is backed by 9 overseas offices in Australia, China, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Singapore, UAE, UK, and the US that helps propagate important information pertaining to markets and joint venture possibilities to both Indian and global companies.

In the year 2000, CII set up the Indian Business Trust for HIV/AIDS to engage the industry in meeting the challenges of the deadly virus.

Synergizing the efforts of Indian industry and engaging with the Government of India, CII reached out to various sections of the society, providing immediate relief and strategic long-term rehabilitation support.

[55] To tackle the unexpected and immense challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, CII formed a high-level task force to find possible solutions to issues faced by Indian industry.

CII made immediate policy interventions and representations at both the state and central government levels for macroeconomic management, monetary measures, and ease of doing business.

[56][57][58][59][60][61] CII is working on air pollution in North India, Anganwadi development, disaster management and relief and education, among other areas.

It was structured around the ten broad themes - Education & Skill Development, Technology & Innovation, Agriculture, Businesses, Infrastructure & Urbanization, Health, Environment, Arts, Sports & Literature, Governance & Public Administration and Moral Leadership.