It's day 4 of Prime Minister Modi's US visit and he is back to business, literally. PM is meeting top business leaders for breakfast. Among those who are there in the high table is CEOs of top companies like Google, Goldman Sachs, Citi Group, Master Card and Boeing.
PM is clearly laying out his policy agenda to the top business honchos.
Last week, Supreme Court had cancelled 214 coal block allocations done by the government in the last two decades. The sudden decision has created jitters among the business community. Narendra Modi tried to allay fears of all the top businessmen in his breakfast meeting. He projected a brave face and said that government is looking to use the decision as an opportunity to clean up the past.
The breakfast meet was followed by one-on-one meetings with six CEOs of Boeing, KKR, BlackRock, IBM, General Electric and Goldman Sachs. PM is looking for a strong push in investment in the manufacturing sector to enable India to go to a path of high growth.
Narendra Modi met Bill and Hillary Clinton. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj was also present. Bill Clinton hailed India's Prime Minister for taking up the ardous project of cleaning Ganga. He says it is a sacred project and smart approach.
PM is currently speaking at Council of Foreign Relations.
Watch it live here
PM lays out his economic policy. He puts special importance to "Make In India" project. He says that his focus is on good government and stresses on seamless coordination between state and centre for speedy growth. Modi says he wants to develop economy based on agriculture, manufacturing and service sector. PM says how economy has already showing improvement in the first three months. He reaches out to foreign investors saying bottlenecks are being removed for faster clearances. PM says that primary goal of his government is upliftment of the neo middle class.
Narendra Modi lays special importance on manufacturing industry. He stresses on " Zero defect, Zero Effect". PM specifically mentions about climate change. He says Gujarat was the first government to have a ministry on climate change.
PM now comes down hard on terrorism. He says there can't be good terrorism and bad terrorism. Narendra Modi clearly mentions that India is looking for welfare of all the nation. He urges all to come to India. Modi finishes with a slogan, "Terrorism divides, tourism unites".
The floor is open for questions. Narendra Modi says there is no conflict between development and environment. PM also speaks out on WTO agreement. He says that food security and trade agreement can go hand in hand. PM says that he is not against populist politics but says that India has large number of poor people.
PM has been asked about increasing threat of ISIS. Modi says that it is a very serious threat but he reiterates that people of India is united by a common ideology. So Indian Muslims will fail Al- Qaeda.
PM now gives his views on partnership between India and USA. He says that deals are often struck on the basis of mutual interest. He says India and US are connected by their faith in democracy. PM says both countries need to work together on economic front.
On a question on Afghanistan, he said US shouldn't repeat the mistake of Iraq in that country. It should ensure that troop retreat should be done very slowly.
Modi clearly rejects any possibility of arbritration regarding border dispute between India and China. He says both countries are matured enough to sort out their issues together.
PM is asked a question on steps taken to improve situation of women security in the country. He says that women need to be empowered and the way to do it is through education. He recollects past istances of achieving 100% enrollment of girl students in schools of Gujarat. PM says that India already had a women Prime Minister in the past and currently has around 25% representation of females in the cabinet.
The interaction ends and PM is all set to travel to Washington DC for the next part of his 5 day tour.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}