India a growth engine: PM to world, biz leaders

The world perceives India as an important pillar of stability, a global growth engine, the voice of the Global South and a friend who can be trusted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he addressed world and business leaders while inaugurating the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gandhinagar.

The 10th edition of the summit, aimed at fostering investments, business collaborations and strategic partnerships, was attended by the United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed AI Nahyan, Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos Horta, Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and heads of top Indian and foreign companies. The theme for this year's event is "Gateway to the Future".

As Modi highlighted the country's economic prospects, several big companies unveiled investment plans worth over 25 lakh crore. Leading these were Reliance Industries, which announced it will create a green energy facility and a carbon fibre unit in Gujarat, and the Adani group, which too is working on a renewable energy facility and other projects. Global firms Suzuki and DP World also pledged projects worth 260,000 crore in the state.

Both Reliance's Mukesh Ambani and Adani group's Gautam Adani praised Modi's vision for boosting India's economic might.

In his speech, the PM reiterated his pitch for India to be a trusted partner for global business. "India is moving forward in the role of a 'Vishwa Mitra' (friend of the world) in a rapidly changing world order. Today, India has given the world confidence that we can set and achieve common goals. India's commitment to world welfare, loyalty, efforts and hard work are making today's world more secure and prosperous," Modi said, speaking in Hindi.