PM Modi interacts with top global CEOs at International Business Council event in Davos

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with top global CEOs at the International Business Council event in Davos where they have gathered to attend the World Economic Forum annual meeting. 

"The world applauds 1.3 bn people of India at the @wef in #Davos appreciating the remarkable transformation in improving the business climate. PM @narendramodi interacting with the top global CEOs at the International Business Council event," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

Earlier, PM Modi addressed the plenary session of the WEF 2018. 

On Monday, Prime Minister Modi had hosted a dinner for top CEOs, both Indian and international, in Davos, where discussions took place on investment opportunities in India. Of the 64 CEOs, 24 were from India.

"The total market capitalisation of these companies is USD 3.6 trillion. It was an important interaction, and 15 CEOs shared their thoughts," said Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), told ANI.

The world applauds 1.3 bn people of India at the @wef in #Davos appreciating the remarkable transformation in improving the business climate. PM @narendramodi interacting with the top global CEOs at the International Business Council event. #IndiaMeansBusiness pic.twitter.com/AfvfarnKGS

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 23, 2018

Modi is leading a big government and business delegation to the summit in Davos, the first Indian prime minister do so in 21 years, aiming to showcase India as a fast-growing economic power and a potential driver of global growth. 

During his keynote address at the opening session of the World Economic Forum, Modi said India is open for business despite the rise of protectionism and loss of appeal in globalisation.

"Instead of globalisation, the power of protectionism is putting its head up. Their wish is not only to save themselves from globalisation, but to change the natural flow of globalisation," Modi said at the opening of the forum, which has attracted 70 heads of state and government, chief executives and top bankers.

Modi also highlighted reforms and policies his administration had undertaken to make India more open. He said his government had abolished some 1,400 archaic laws. 

"We are removing red tape and laying the red carpet," Modi said.

Some business leaders said India still had a lot of work to do to attract more investment, including taming bureaucracy, tackling corruption and cleaning up pollution.

Prime Minister Modi is expected to arrive in New Delhi later tonight.

(With Reuters inputs)