Prime Minister has said that the biggest thing that unites India and America is democracy, demography and openness. On India-US relationship he said, there is no need to be comfortable on all aspects as it doesn't happen even between a husband and a wife.
Interacting with the members of the US Council on Foreign relations in New York, Prime Minister said, we should think what India and America can together achieve for the benefit of the whole world. He added that Afghanistan is an example of that. Modi said he is of view that process of US troops withdrawal in Afghanistan should be slow, not like Iraq.
On the issue of land border problems with China, Mr Modi said there is no need of separate arbitration to deal with the issue. China and India can talk to each other and solve their disputes.
Mr Modi admitted that there is a border dispute but both sides have agreed upon solving the problem urgently. On a question on foreign policy in today’s context, Mr Modi said in the 21st century, Groups are irrelevant. Every country needs the other country. He said, there is a need for co-existence. India has accepted this change and it plans to move forward.
On World Trade Organization issue, Modi reiterated India’s stand saying that Food security and Trade Facilitation Agreement should go hand in hand. Modi said, he is against populist approach but India has a large poor population to look after.
Modi slammed previous regimes before his government for carrying out appeasement and vote-bank politics and pitched for development and good governance.
He said he wants to create opportunities for a neo-middle class that has come above the poverty line. He said that there is a large number of people, who have gone above the poverty line but are yet to find a place among the middle class.
On Terrorism, the Prime Minster said it is an enemy of humanity. He said, there cannot be a distinction between good and bad terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism. He said that all terrorist activities in India are exported and are not home-grown.
Replying to a question on the rise of Islamic State, IS militants in West Asia and whether there was any danger that such unrest might spread to India, the Prime Minister ruled that out. Mr Modi said he was asked by the CNN about the al-Qaeda threat in India to which he responded that Muslims of India will fail al-Qaeda.
He said, it is sad that many countries could not earlier understand the ugly face of terrorism which is enemy of humanity and it has no boundary or country. In his speech, he reaffirmed that India wants to build friendly relations with all its neighbors.
In his address to the Council, the Prime Minister touched upon various issues including economic development, clean environment, skill development, good governance and friendship with neighbors to which his government is committed.
Mr Modi told the council that he is working towards simplifying and speeding processes and focus on transparency and e-governance. Prime minister said he wants to take Indian economy ahead on the three pillars of agriculture, manufacturing and services and to create a balance between all these sectors.
Explaining’'Zero Defect, Zero Effect', Mr Modi said Indian products will have no defects and will have no adverse impact on environment. Taking note of the fact that the world will need a big work force by 2020, prime Minister said India is a young country that can fulfill this demand.
Earlier Prime Minister also interacted with the members of the US Council on Foreign relations in New York. Prime minister also held meetings with eleven American Chief executives officers, CEOs, in New York City over the breakfast. Google's Eric Schmidt, Citigroup's Michael Corbat, MasterCard's Ajay Banga and Pepsico's Indra Nooyi were among those who were there in the meeting.
Mr Modi told the CEOs of global companies to invest in infrastructure in India as it can generate employments and help in the economic growth. He also said India is an open-minded country and wants to change. Modi said, he is discussing with citizens, industrialists & investors for the change. Prime Minister also said he wants to convert the Supreme Court judgement on coal into an opportunity to move forward and clean up the past.
Later Mr Modi also had one on one meeting with CEOs of Boeing, KKR, BlackRock, IBM, General Electric, and Goldman Sachs. Prime Minister also met Mr Bill Clinton and Mrs Hillary Clinton and congratulated them on becoming grandparents. Speaking to Media after the meeting, Goldman Sacchs CEO Lloyd Blankfein said, Modi is a charismatic leader. Pepsico CEO Indira Nooyi said Modi answered all the questions brilliantly and focused on improving infrastructure.
Mastercard’s CEO, Ajay Banga said he hopes that Mr Modi executes his plans as he did in Gujarat. Mr Banga said the Prime Minister has listed out areas like tourism, skill development and infrastructure as key focus areas.
James McNerney CEO of Boeing , said his company wants to accelerate engagement with India. Virginia Romnetty, CEO of IBM, said, Prime Minister discussed software for Smart Cities & Digital India Initiative. In response to Mr Modi’s call for investments, global investment management company Black Rock is to host global investors meet in India early next year. Jeffrey R. Immelt, General electrical CEO said he looks forward to more long term investments in future.
