Davos:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged with a namaste the loud applause as he was introduced as the keynote speaker at this year’s World Economic Forum’s plenary session at the Swiss mountain resort of Davos. Speaking in Hindi, PM Modi is showcasing the India growth story to world leaders and global CEOs, also calling for countries to unite to tackle what he called the three big challenges that the world faces – "climate change, terrorism and a threat to globalisation."
Here is 10-point cheat sheet to Davos 2018:
- "Terrorism is dangerous. It is worse when people say there is a difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ terror. It is painful to see some youngsters getting radicalised," PM Modi said.
- He said "India has always believed in values of integration and unity," stating that amid fast moving economic and political changes in the world, "peace, stability and security face new and serious challenges."
- PM Modi recalled that the last time an Indian Prime Minister attended the WEF 21 years ago, "India’s GDP in 1997, when the last PM came to Davos, was a little over 400 billion dollars. It has grown six times since."
- PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to give the plenary speech at the WEF and the first to attend the Davos summit in 20 years, since HD Deve Gowda’s visit in 1997.
- "We are raising our voice…it’s a louder voice. Earlier our people used to feel shy. Now on international platform, our PM is talking. And he is putting the nation in a global scenario. Earlier, all prime ministers, Indian politicians used to feel shy for various reasons," Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told NDTV in Davos ahead of the PM’s speech.
- As PM Modi landed in Switzerland last evening for a packed 24-hour visit, the International Monetary Fund reaffirmed that India’s economy is projected to grow by 7.4 per cent in the next fiscal, making it the fastest growing economy again, ahead of China.
- At a dinner meeting last night, PM Modi talked about India’s growth story and presented investment opportunities to over 40 global industry bosses from 18 countries, including Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Reliance’s Mukesh Ambani, Airbus CEO Dirk Hoke.
- The PM invited everyone to speak and sought suggestions, responded to each query, addressing each CEO personally, said those who attended. PM Modi said he was "moving from ease of doing business to ease of living", his new focus would be "less conflict with government."
- PM Modi’s first engagement in Davos last evening was a bilateral with Swiss President Alain Berset. "Productive discussions on steps to further deepen our bilateral cooperation," the foreign ministry said in a tweet after the meeting.
- The Indian presence this year is the largest in the 48-year history of the WEF. Two yoga teachers from India will hold daily classes at the summit, which has attracted 70 heads of state and government, including US President Donald Trump as well as celebrities, chief executives and top bankers.
