Come, feel winds of change: Modi to Chinese investors

Shanghai, May 16

Reaching out to Chinese investors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today — the last day of his three-day visit to China — asked them to take advantage of the “winds of change” in India with a much more transparent, responsive and stable regulatory regime. Leading firms from the two sides signed 26 deals worth more than $22 billion today.

“This is a historic opportunity for Chinese companies,” said Modi while addressing the India-China Business Forum in China’s financial hub after interacting with 22 CEOs of top Chinese companies, including Alibaba Group chairman Jack Ma.

“We have committed ourselves to creating and improving the business environment. I can assure you that once you decide to be in India...we are confident about making you more and more comfortable,” the Prime Minister said.

“India is ready for business. You must be sensing the winds of change in India. I advise you to come and feel the same,” he told business leaders from both countries.

The Prime Minister said a “harmonious partnership” between India and China, the two major economies in Asia, was essential for economic development and “political stability” of the continent. “You are the ‘factory of the world’ whereas we are the ‘back office of the world’. You give thrust on production of hardware, while India focusses on software and services,” he said. Launching the Centre for Gandhian and Indian Studies at Fudan University here, he said India and China have historical and civilisational ties and they can together create a world that serves humanity. — PTI