India and the World

Make in India Lion finds willing partner in the German Eagle

- by India Writes Network

India’s Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have firmed up a roadmap for a new accelerated phase in India-Germany strategic partnership across the spectrum.
The joint statement at the end of the talks in Berlin underlined that the common objective was to “encourage greater synergies between German engineering, experience in sustainable development, innovation and skills, and the new opportunities available in India and through ‘Make in India’, ‘Clean India’, ‘Digital India’ and other initiatives towards achieving economic growth and sustainable development”.
The visit saw Mr Modi pitch hard for German cooperation in reviving Indian manufacturing and stressing that India’s need for technology, skill upgradation, investment and innovation were a solid business opportunity for German firms to make lucrative investments. Both sides vowed to foster stronger ties between business and industry on both sides in order to support India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative by utilizing the momentum generated by India’s participation in the Hannover Messe.
The talks held in Berlin covered a wide range of issues, and collaborations across manufacturing, green energy, urban development, river cleaning and rejuvenation, railways upgradation, education, R&D, and scientific and technical cooperation, were sought to make the Strategic Partnership enter a “new and intensive” phase.

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Indian Lion and German Eagle make strong partners: Modi

- by India Writes Network

t the close of his two day visit to Germany, Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a joint statement highlighting the issues discussed and the way forward for bilateral relations. The thrust of the visit was on expanding economic relations which would aid in Modi’s plans of poverty elimination and revival of manufacturing back home.

In his remarks to the media in Germany, Mr Modi expressed his gratitude to Ms Merkel for having given the India the opportunity to become a partner country at Hannover Messe, the world’s biggest trade fair, and for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their stay.

The Prime Minister made a hard sell for German cooperation in boosting the Indian economy. Given that technology, skill upgradation, investment and innovation were key to this enterprise, and Germany was a global leader in these fields, Mr Modi said that the Indian lion and German Eagle would make for a very productive pair. While praising Germany’s expertise in these fields, he noted that India’s need could be a solid business opportunity for German firms to make lucrative investments.

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Modi in Germany: India is a changed place, can’t be stopped

- by Manish Chand

The colours of India are splashed all over the Hannover Messe. And the lions are on the prowl, roaring the promise of a rising India, a roar that has acquired a powerful resonance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of a changed India where businesses thrive and the spirit of enterprise and innovation prevails.
The message that India is a changed place and can’t be stopped — like the lion, the symbol of Make in India which is ubiquitous in this German city — rang clear and loud as Mr Modi jointly inaugurated the India Pavilion at the world’s greatest show of industry and technology, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on April 12. There was much singing and chanting, with folk dancers donning colourful Rajasthani attire enlivening the industry show.
“The symbol of lion for Make in India has been chosen very carefully. We know that our biggest need today is to create jobs for our 65% population which is young. Hence, Make in India is the need,” the prime minister said, with Chancellor Merkel cheering on.
“Hence, the lion. Because a lion can’t be stopped. We are confident that our journey to make India a global manufacturing hub cannot be stopped that too by our own rules and regulations. We must, and we will make corrections wherever required.”
It was a grand futuristic vision of a resurgent India determined to remake its destiny that Mr Modi unveiled in Hannover. Cohering India’s ‘Act East’ with ‘Link West’ policy, the prime minister underscored that India has the potential of becoming the middle ground for East and West as a manufacturing hub that serves both our vast domestic market and becomes a base for global exports and general well-being”.
If Modi continues to tread on the reform path and backs his lion’s roar with all-too-visible actions on the ground, India will indeed be a changed place. And then world will be watching closely, and hoping to partake of India’s ongoing resurgence.

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German companies are welcome

- by India Writes Network

In May last year, in what was the largest elections in the history of mankind, the people of India voted my Government into office. For the first time in three decades Indian voters gave a clear majority mandate to a government. The verdict was for change and for good and effective governance. It was also a call for development reflective of growing aspirations of India’s youthful millions.

In the last 11 months, we have come a long way in keeping this promise. We have re-energised the Indian growth engine. The credibility of our economy has been restored. India is once again poised for rapid growth and development. It is the only emerging economy where growth rate is rising. The prospects are even better.

This has not happened by chance. My government has earnestly taken up the challenge of development and economic transformation of India. For us, development is not a mere political agenda; it is an article of faith. We have initiated specific policies and actions to realise our vision for New Age India with a clear set of economic goals and objectives. Our focus is not merely economic growth but an inclusive development. This requires creating jobs, upgrading skills, raising productivity, benchmarking quality with global standards. Our aim is to completely eliminate poverty and to propel all Indians into a life of purpose and dignity within a generation. My own life-experience and belief in the role of good governance in India’s economic development has convinced me that this noble objective can be achieved.

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Modi’s smart diplomacy: Unleashing lions of India in Hannover

- by Manish Chand

HANNOVER: India has unleashed lions in this German city, by launching the Make in India blitz. And these lions – the motif of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India mission – are roaring, enticing Europe’s economic bellwether with the promise of ease of doing business and partnering the transformation of the world’s fastest growing economy.
“The lions are a symbol of a new India. They roar; but with a message of friendship and promise of partnership, from 1.25 billion people of India,” Mr Modi told hundreds of German and Indian business titans as he jointly inaugurated the Hannover Messe 2015 with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Having gotten used to being lionised in foreign capitals, as his most recent performance in Paris showed, Mr Modi robustly held aloft the torch of the India Story and weaving a captivating narrative of the country’s ongoing transformational journey.
Cutting out florid clichés, Mr Modi dived straight into the heart of his story. His message to the German and global corporate world was: India is open for business, do more business and make in India.The German chancellor, for one, looked radiant and smiled a lot as Mr Modi spoke, indicating Berlin’s enthusiasm for optimising the India opportunity.

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Hannover Messe: Betting on The India Story

- by Manish Chand

There is no show like Hannover Messe – cutting-edge technology and innovation blends with enterprise and ingenuity to bring together the world’s leading players in industry and high engineering to this German town every year. This year, Hannover Messe will have a special guest – India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the spotlight will be on the unfolding story of India’s resurgence and renewal.
It promises to be an evening to remember as Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will formally open the Hannover Messe 2015 on April 12. Looking on will be a galaxy of the world’s leading industrialists and players in high technology from over 100 countries. The next day, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the sprawling 7000-square meters India Pavilion amid much fanfare, singing and beating of drums. More than 400 Indian companies, including IT giants Infosys and TCS, will be showcasing their innovations at the fair. More than 100 Indian top business honchos, Union and state-level ministers, Chief Ministers of various state will be present at this showpiece event of technology, industry and engineering.
The Hannover Fair this year will underscore key overarching themes of Prime Minister Modi’s trip to Germany and his trip to Europe: Make in India, Smart Cities, Skill India, business and technology. These core themes will also frame full-spectrum talks between the leaders of India and Germany in Berlin on April 14.
In this journey of remaking India, Germany, Europe’s most powerful economy and an engineering giant, is India’s preferred partner, and will remain so for years to come. It’s time for India to fly, and India is itching to reclaim its place under the global sun.

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Culture Connects: India, France bond over yoga, Ayurveda, urban heritage

- by India Writes Network

Paris the Beautiful, beloved of poets, boulevardiers, philosophers and painters. Paris has long been regarded as the cultural capital of Europe, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip would not be complete without forging enduring cultural connections.
The mutual cultural attractions spurred India and France to sign four pacts on preservation and showcasing of urban heritage, the promotion of traditional medicines like Ayurveda and promotion of tourism.
Preservation and promotion of Indian heritage has been on Prime Minister Modi’s agenda since he took office. Remodeling of the Sabarmati river front, his intention to renovate Varansai on the lines of Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto, cleaning of river Ganga (Namami Gange), all come within the rubric of rejuvenating cities, while preserving their cultural component. This feature is very prominent in European cities, and exemplified in Paris.
France has been a pioneer in conservation of monuments, excavations, collection of artefacts and very importantly, making cultural awareness a part of the public psyche. The French ethos holds art and culture in very high esteem, and public reverence and pride attached with their country’s unique culture showcases this unique heritage. Noting this there have been agreements to develop social capital by training a diverse range of professionals. The agreements included a pact on training Indian heritage professionals between the Ministries of Culture.

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India, France lock into green embrace

- by India Writes Network

Clean and Green is set to be the new mantra of the emerging India-France partnership in sustainable development. Ahead of the Paris global climate change summit, French President Francois Hollande announced 2 billion euro investment by French companies to promote green technologies in India and signed two pacts with Asia’s leading oil-dependent economy in areas of energy efficiency.

Unveiling the 2 billion euro green push by France, Mr Hollande said, with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his side, that France needs India’s support to make the climate summit successful to be hosted by Paris in December this year.

“We are perfectly in step over climate change. We need India’s support and leadership for the global climate summit to be successful,” said the French leader.

Mr Modi, an ardent proponent of harmonious living and sustainable development, assured the French leader of New Delhi’s unflinching support for combating global warming.

The focus on green energy was evident in the pact signed by the two countries on the extension of credit facility by Agence Française de Développement for India’s Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) promoting use of LED lighting in selected Indian municipalities;

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From Rafale & nuclear energy to commerce & culture, India-France ties ride high

- by Manish Chand

PARIS: The radiant smiles said it all: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande sported ‘Paris in April’ radiance as they unveiled 17-odd pacts in areas ranging from civil nuclear energy, defence and space to smart cities, business, tourism and the promotion of cultural heritage.
Celebrating this new spring in the multi-hued India-France relations, the two leaders went on a boat ride on the lovely Seine caressed by the gently fading sun. It was a time for bonding, camaraderie, small talk and big dreams.
The new Rafale deal was easily the show-stealer as Mr Modi announced at a joint press conference on April 10 with the French president that India will buy 26 Rafale jets from France in fly-away condition, ending months of “deal or no deal” speculation that has stalked this multi-billion dollar plan. The announcement triggered a wave of jubilation among the top French leadership, with Mr Hollande profusely thanking the Indian prime minister for his decision to do the 36-jet deal in an inter-governmental agreement.
Mr Modi, too, has many reasons to be pleased at the big thumps-up he got from the French leadership and the elite French business community for his Make in India campaign. The business confidence in the India Story was reflected in the two round tables Mr Modi addressed on infrastructure and defence with the crème de la crème of French corporate world present at the interactive meetings. The Make in India commitment was reflected in a pact on forging cooperation between Indian and French railways for semi-high speed rail link and station renovation and pledges by French defence majors to undertake co-development of high-value weaponry.
Underscoring a striking convergence of interests on strategic issues, the leaders of India and France spoke about building closer cooperation in a host of cross-cutting areas, including terrorism, cyber security and maritime security.

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