Chairman of Swiss Indian Chamber of Commerce Mr. Philippe Reich, Board Members of SICC, Distinguished guests, friends of India, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning.
Let me begin by thanking Chairman Mr. Phillipe Reich for inviting me to this important event today. This is an invite that I value. I bring greetings from the Government and People of India to SICC leadership and its members.
Let me congratulate Chairman Philippe Reich and his team for their excellent contribution in promoting India Swiss business and trade relations. For Embassy of India, SICC is a very valuable partner. I recall the two luncheon events that the Embassy organised in Zurich in the last few months in partnership with SICC. During the visit of Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. M.J. Akbar in January 2018 and during the visit of Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mr. J.P. Nadda earlier this month.
For India Switzerland relations, last few years have been very important. Our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi had three summit level meetings with Presidents of Switzerland in the last two years. President HE Schneider Ammann hosted him in Switzerland in June 2016, President Madam HE Doris Leuthard visited India on a State visit in August 2017 and current President HE Alain Berset received Prime Minister in Davos in January 2018. I recall some of the members present here were part of the delegations that met Prime Minister Modi in June 2016 and in August 2017. And many of you were present at the opening key note address Prime Minister Modi delivered at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2018.
This year is also important in India – Swiss relations. This is the 70th anniversary of the India- Switzerland Friendship Treaty that we signed in 1948.
Today, India continues to be the fastest-growing large economy in the world, with a growth rate of nearly 7.5%. It is also a global hub for manufacturing and innovation. It is steadily moving towards a knowledge-based society, which aims to build a five trillion dollar economy by 2025. This will make India the 3rd largest consumer market in the world by 2025. According to the World Bank and IMF, our growth rate is going to be steady and high; India ranked 3rd in WEF’s list of most trusted governments in 2017. India has climbed 30 places in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index in 2017, the biggest jump by any country last year.
I would like to conclude with the words of Prime Minister Modi who said in Davos, “You all are prominent leaders of the world, and you all are well aware of the ongoing changes happening in the world, the improvement in the ranking and ratings of India, and the path that we have chosen for the future.” He concluded, “I invite you all that if you want to have wealth with wellness, then work in India. If you want the wholeness of life with the health, then come to India. If you want peace with prosperity then stay in India. If you come to India, you will always be welcome in India.”
Thank you.
