Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and vision, global leaders ranging from the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to World Bank Chairman Jim Yong Kim on Sunday described him as the “driving force” of India’s growth engine during the inauguration of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit here.
Mr. Ban, who started his speech in Mr. Modi’s mother tongue Gujarati, appreciated his initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy sources (wind and solar) and to build new smart cities in the country.
Mr. Jim said that Mr. Modi and his government were quickly putting in place the building blocks for even more rapid growth, streamlining the national regulatory structure, using public funds more efficiently and promoting social inclusion.
British Minister of State for Trade and Investment Lord Livingston said, “We are excited with PM Modi’s vision of smart cities.”
Australia’s Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb and Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander said they consider Gujarat as the “growth engine” of India and Mr. Modi’s vision as the “driving force” behind it.
Japanese auto giant Suzuki Corp’s chairman Osamu Suzuki said Gujarat was superior in terms of infrastructure and administration. “India is becoming consolidated into one economic identity under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
“Gujarat is definitely supportive in administration and policies. I urge each and every investor to follow our path and invest in Gujarat, just as we did,” Mr. Suzuki said.
