NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the guarantee to world prosperity lies with India. He urged investors and business leaders to seize the opportunity and become a part of the prosperity journey.
Speaking after inaugurating the "Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit, 2023" in Lucknow, Mr Modi called UP a state full of possibilities. The PM said: "Today, UP inspires hope. If India is a bright spot for the world, then it is UP that is driving the growth of India."
He welcomed foreign delegates and Indian industry leaders to the three-day event and linked the world's economic well-being to that of India. Mr Modi referred to the "double-engine" government and talked about possibilities in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister urged investors and industry leaders to seize the opportunity and become a part of the prosperity story. "The prosperity of the world lies in the prosperity of India and your participation is very important in this journey of prosperity," he said.
Mr Modi talked about work on physical and digital infrastructure, seamless markets and simplified bureaucratic procedures. He said reforms in India are being carried out not because of compulsion but because of conviction.
"India today is truly on the path of pace and scale. We have fulfilled the basic needs of a large section and that is why it is thinking of the next level, thinking of the future," he said.
He pointed out that the aspirations of Indian society today are giving a push to the governments as well and these aspirations are also adding pace to development work. "Like the rest of India, a very large aspirational society is waiting for you now in UP," he said.
Citing the reasons for his confidence in the state, the PM said Uttar Pradesh was once known as an "underdeveloped", "Bimaru" state with a poor law and order situation. But now, within five or six years, UP has established a new identity for itself, he said, indirectly referring to the period under a BJP government in the state.
"Now Uttar Pradesh is known for good governance, better law and order situation, peace and stability. New opportunities for wealth creators are being made here," he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that initiatives for better infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh are bearing fruit. "Very soon Uttar Pradesh will be known as the only state with five international airports. The freight corridor will connect the state directly to the Maharashtra sea coast," Mr Modi said.
The Prime Minister also talked about a meaningful change in the UP government's thinking that ensures ease of doing business.
"Today UP has become a source of hope and inspiration," the Prime Minister remarked, adding that UP has become a bright spot for the country, just as India has become a bright spot on the global stage.
The Prime Minister referred to the impact of the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine on the global economy and said India emerged quickly out of the crisis. "Every credible voice in the world is optimistic about the ascending course of the Indian economy as it has not only shown resilience in the face of the pandemic and war but also shown rapid recovery," he said.
The Prime Minister talked about the huge change that is being seen in the thinking and aspirations of Indian society and the youth of India and stated that every citizen of the country wants to tread the path of development and wishes to witness a "Viksit Bharat" in the times to come.
He mentioned that the aspirations of Indian society have become a driving force for the government, which is providing impetus to the development works carried out in the country. Noting the size and population of Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister told the investors that, like India, in UP too, an aspirational society is waiting for them.
Talking about work on physical and digital infrastructure, seamless markets and simplified bureaucratic procedures, the PM said, "Due to the digital revolution, Uttar Pradesh society has grown inclusive and connected. As a market, India is getting seamless. Procedures are being simplified."
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel and chief minister Yogi Adityanath were also present on the occasion.
Industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Kumar Mangalam Birla and N. Chandrasekaran also addressed the event. Speaking before the Prime Minister, industry leaders asserted that the country is on a strong growth path and that the target of becoming a $25 trillion economy when it celebrates its 100th year of Independence is achievable.
They credited Mr Modi with guiding the country with vision and a laser-sharp focus on execution towards a bold "New India".
"I am confident that India is on a very strong growth path," Mr Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, said.
Mr Chandrasekaran, Tata Sons chairman, praised Mr Modi's "strong visionary leadership" and said the recent Budget laid a very strong foundation with its "tremendous investment towards infrastructure development".
Mr Birla, Aditya Birla Group chairman, said that India is now the fastest growing large economy in the world and is poised to become the third largest economy by 2030.
"As a global business group, we operate in 36 countries and I can confidently say that India today stands out amongst all of them. There is perhaps no other country in the world that combines robust democracy, transformational governance, economic might, demographic dynamism and entrepreneurial energy," he added.
