India’s growth presents a win-win partnership for both India and the U.S., Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a group of American CEOs on Sunday. Mr. Modi addressed the gathering ahead of his first meeting with President Donald Trump, scheduled for Monday.
The Prime Minister’s pitch before the CEOs of prominent American companies was a prelude to extensive interactions he is expected to have with Mr. Trump and senior members of his cabinet on Monday. America's economic and employment recovery is the topmost political priority for the Trump administration.
Stronger ties mooted
Mr. Modi told the CEOs that India considered a stronger and more prosperous America to be in its best interests.
“The CEOs walked away with increased confidence in India's growth prospects and the Prime Minister's leadership,” Mukesh Aghi, President of the U.S.-India Business Council told The Hindu after the CEO round table, which was attended, among others, by Google’s Sundar Pichai and Apple’s Tim Cook.
Some CEOs spoke about the impact of GST, but the Prime Minister explained that the overall impact of the tax reform would be beneficial to all sectors.
American companies have a great opportunity to contribute to that, Mr. Modi told the CEOs. Reiterating his government’s commitment to reforms, the Prime Minister told the gathering that the “implementation of the landmark initiative of GST could be a subject of studies in U.S. business schools.”
Mr. Modi said the whole world was looking at India and the government was responding by emphasising economic reforms. He said 7,000 reform measures have been undertaken by the government for ease of doing business and following his maxim of “minimum government, maximum governance.”
In concluding remarks, Mr. Modi said opportunities for tourism through developing hotels in the PPP model at 500 railway stations would be a specific growth opportunity. He emphasised the importance the government attached to efficiency and transparency, MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay said on Twitter.
True friend, says Trump
Hours ahead of Mr. Modi’s arrival on Saturday evening, President Trump termed him a “true friend”.
In posting on his official handle, Mr Trump said, “Look forward to welcoming India’s PM Modi to @White House on Monday. Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend!”
