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Germany is among India’s most important partners in the global context: PM Modi

Published By : Admin | May 30, 2017 | 18:17 IST
Germany is among India’s most important partners both bilaterally and in the global context: PM
There is tremendous potential in India-Germany economic collaboration, says PM Modi
Through our ‘Make in India’ initiative, we are committed to transform India as a major player in the global value chain: PM Modi
India has emerged as the fastest growing major economy the last three years with GDP growth rate of over 7%: PM
Our emphasis has been on reducing Government and enhancing Governance: PM Narendra Modi
India has one of the most liberal FDI Policy regimes in the world: Prime Minister

Her Excellency, Dr. Angela Merkel,
Leaders from Global Business Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is a great pleasure to meet you all. It is an added pleasure to talk to you in the presence of an enlightened leader like Chancellor Merkel. In fact, I do not miss any opportunity of meeting her. I particularly recall my interactions during my visit to Hannover Fair in April 2015. India was Partner Country in that fair. This was followed by Chancellor Merkel’s visit to India in October 2015. Together, we have had several rounds of discussion with German and Indian CEOs. Today again, I can see lot of energy and enthusiasm in this hall. I can also see a number of Indian CEOs present here.

Friends!

Germany is among India’s most important partners both bilaterally and in the global context. I am very happy to see participation of German companies in India’s growth story. It is equally heartening to see that Indian companies have also made their presence felt in Germany. Germany ranks 7th among foreign investor countries in India. Major sectors attracting FDI inflows from Germany are engineering, chemicals and services. About 600 Indo-German joint ventures are presently operating in India. They provide employment to around two hundred thousand people. However, there is tremendous further potential in India-Germany economic collaboration. Our economic partnership is still below its full potential. To enhance this, we, in India, are ready with open arms to welcome German companies. With a view to help the German companies, we have put in place a Fast Track Mechanism. A number of issues have already been resolved through this mechanism. We are doing it sincerely because we value German participation a lot.

Friends!

We are on the path of making India a global manufacturing hub. Already a good eco-system exists in India for manufacturing. India already offers:

  • A globally cost competitive manufacturing eco-system;
  • A vast pool of skilled professionals with knowledge and energy;
  • World class engineering education base and strong R&D facilities;
  • Rise in GDP and purchasing power creating further growth in the domestic market;
  • One of the most liberal FDI Policy regimes in the world;
  • Government’s focus on easing the business environment further.


Due to these strengths, as said by UNIDO, India is already the 6th largest manufacturing nation in the world. To make it better, we are working hard on various enablers.

Through our ‘Make in India’ initiative, we are committed to transform India as a major player in the global value chain. Prime motive is creation of jobs and narrowing the gap between affluent and lower sections of society. Make in India has already created a strong impact.

Germany is contributing in a big way in the success of Make in India. Particularly, India’s participation as Partner country in the Hannover Fair has given a big boost to Indo-German partnership. During the Hannover Messe, specific areas for collaboration were mutually identified. This included manufacturing, skill development, railways, cleaning of rivers, renewable energy, education, science and technology. In addition, we are also implementing a strategic market entry support Programme, since September 2015. It is called MIIM (Make in India Mittelstand). This is mainly to assist German Mittelstand Companies in entering the Indian Market.

The MIIM Programme has been offering a wide range of business support Services. The initiative has resulted in growing interest of German companies in India.

The outcomes are that in this short period:

  • 83 companies expressed interest to join the program;
  • 73 Companies have enrolled as official members;
  • 47 are at the advanced stage of investment implementation Another ongoing and very successful programme between India and Germany is the Indo-German Managers Training Programme. This is for advanced training of business executives especially from Indian SMEs. The program has resulted in:
  • increased investments, creation of new joint ventures and increased B2B contacts between the two countries
  • Over 500 Indian managers have benefited by this programme so far.


In addition, there is a good weather already existing. Some examples are that:

  • Bosch, Siemens, BASF and SAP have started specific R&D operations exclusively in India
  • Mercedes Benz India inaugurated its second manufacturing facility in Chakan in July 2015. This will double the plant capacity to 20,000 units per annum.


For our efforts, we have also received good global recognition. I would like to mention some of them.

  • India remains a bright spot in the subdued economic landscape across the world;
  • India has emerged as the fastest growing major economy the last three years with GDP growth rate of over 7%;
  • We have moved up 32 places in last two years in the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum- this is highest for any country;
  • India also moved up 19 places on the Logistics Performance Index of 2016 of World Bank;
  • We have also moved up 16 places on the Global Innovation Index of WIPO in 2016.
  • We are 3rd among the top 10 FDI destinations listed by UNCTAD;


These are just a few examples. Our emphasis has been on reducing Govevrnment and enhancing Governance. I would give some examples:

  • We are moving fast towards becoming a Digital Economy;
  • GST is among the most Historic reforms India has ever done- and it is going to be implemented from the next month;
  • In the last two years, we have moved towards a low tax regime both on personal as well as corporate side;
  • We have lowered the corporate tax from 30% to 25 % particularly for new investments and smaller ventures;
  • New laws and institutions for Bankruptcy and Insolvency as well as IPR and Arbitration are now in place;
  • More than seven thousand reforms have been implemented on the front of Ease of doing business;
  • 36 white industries have been taken out from the requirement of environmental clearance;
  • Similarly, more than 50 items have been taken out of defence list;
  • Validity period of industrial licenses has been increased upto fifteen years;
  • Custom clearance has been made 24X7 at 19 ports and 17 air cargo complexes;
  • Incorporating a company along with allotment of DIN, PAN, TAN and the CIN is now just one day affair;
  • Power connection is provided within a time frame of 15 days;
  • India’s ranking is now up by 111 places on ‘Getting Electricity’ parameter of World Bank.


The above examples are in addition to thousands of reforms done by the states. Along with the Federal Government, the states have also taken keen interest in implementing such reforms. I will give you some examples:

  • Here, I am mentioning about some states but due to a sense of competition, the trend of reforms is spreading fast to all the states.
  • Reforms include -
  • 100% implementation of single window system for payments & approvals in 16 states;
  • 100% implementation of e-filing of tax returns in 13 states;
  • Automated online building plan approval in 13 states;
  • E-filing system for commercial disputes have been implemented in 11 states;
  • Specialized Commercial Courts have been established at District level in 13 states;


Friends!

Now, India has one of the most liberal FDI Policy regimes in the world. More than 90% of the foreign investment flows are under automatic route. Last week we formally decided to abolish the Foreign Investment Promotion Board which was made in 1990s to examine the FDI proposals. The idea is to expand the engagement of overseas investors in the Indian economy. Due to this approach, Our FDI Outlook has been ranked highly positive by various International Agencies.

There has also been tremendous growth in the FDI inflows in the last 3 years and has now reached to 60 billion US Dollars in 2016-17.

Friends!

India is a big country. Hence, nothing is enough when it comes to development. We have many dreams. And the dreams are big. But we have small timelines. And this is your opportunity.

These opportunities range from building millions of houses to setting up hundreds of smart cities; modernization of railway networks and stations to setting up of high speed rail corridors; generation of renewable energy to construction of transmission and distribution networks. In addition, there is an ever growing need for National Highways, Bridges, and Mass Urban Transport systems, schools, hospitals and skill training institutes.

We are trying to empower our people to realise this potential through our campaigns like Digital India and Skill India. To tap the youth energy fully, we have launched the Start up India and Stand up India Campaigns.

Chancellor Merkel and Friends!

When I spoke in April 2015, our process of reform had just started. Now, I can safely say that we have completed a sizeable part of it. However, we are committed to do more and more; in a faster and better manner. I strongly believe that we should create institutional networks to understand and advocate such reforms. This is necessary to leverage the underlying economic potential of our two countries. At the end, I invite more and more German colleagues and companies to India.

Our direction, desire and dreams create tremendous business opportunity. Never before, India was so much ready for business. We are on a take off stage. Moreover, our democratic values and an alert judicial system will ensure the safety of your investments.

I assure you that we will work hand in hand with you to make your efforts successful.

Thank You!

 

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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today interacted virtually with participants of the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026, during which young MYBharat Volunteers shared their experiences from border villages in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Ladakh. The interaction highlighted the transformation of these villages through improved infrastructure, connectivity and public services, along with women-led development, tourism, community participation and stronger national integration. More than 5,000 MYBharat Volunteers from 245 districts across the country joined the programme virtually.

Introducing the programme, MYBharat Volunteer Shri Divyansh Joshi from Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu outlined initiatives including the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament, Budget Twist, mentorship and volunteering programmes. He said more than 2.30 crore young people had benefitted from MYBharat initiatives, while 2.86 lakh youth participated in the nationwide quiz through which 403 volunteers were selected to visit border villages. Recounting his visit to Leo village in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, he highlighted interactions with residents, senior citizens and schoolchildren, career counselling for local youth, sports and cultural activities, the leadership of the woman Sarpanch and the functioning of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir. He said his homestay experience showed that belonging transcends language and State boundaries, adding that the volunteers paid homage to the country’s brave soldiers at the Kargil War Memorial and would compile their experiences for submission to the Prime Minister while remaining committed to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

MYBharat Volunteer Ms Nikita Pravin Solanki from Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu said her selection through the MYBharat quiz enabled her first independent journey to Dhar Chango Nichla village in Kinnaur district. The affectionate welcome extended by the villagers strengthened her confidence and reflected changing societal attitudes towards women. Through her interactions with the woman Pradhan, Panchayat representatives, farmers, senior citizens and children, she witnessed the multiple responsibilities shouldered by rural women and found, contrary to her earlier perceptions, quality roads, regular electricity, drinking-water connections and digital connectivity, which residents attributed to the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Ayushman Bharat. She also participated in cleanliness, sports and cultural activities, recalled the curiosity of village children about her home region and said she continued to remain in touch with her host family.

Recalling his Diwali visit to the Chango region in 2016, the Prime Minister said Ms Solanki’s journey reflected the growing confidence of India’s daughters and that MYBharat had transformed individual journeys into one national family. “Solo travelling is a way of discovering the world while discovering yourself,” observed Shri Modi.

MYBharat Volunteer Shri Sunil Kumar Kela from Jalore, Rajasthan, said that being from a border village himself enabled him to connect readily with the people of Dhar Chango Uprela village in Himachal Pradesh. Despite geographical and climatic differences, he found the people of both regions united by courage, patriotism and warmth. He remained connected with his family through video calls, showing them the Sutlej River, school, Jan Aushadhi Kendra, hospital and sports facilities, while his social-media posts encouraged friends to explore MYBharat. His initial apprehensions regarding roads, accommodation, electricity and mobile connectivity were dispelled by the high-quality roads reaching the homestay, solar-energy installations and improved infrastructure that had transformed daily life. He added that he remained in contact with his host family and had invited them to visit Rajasthan.

The Prime Minister observed that young people from border villages across Rajasthan, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and the North-East shared a common outlook and that border residents, though geographically distant, remained emotionally deeply connected with the nation. “Those who were last in priority earlier are now the first,” remarked Shri Modi.

MYBharat Volunteer Ms Bhavya Shri from Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh said her desire to learn beyond academics led her to MYBharat and to Harsil Valley in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Her initial concerns about the unfamiliar climate, food, culture and lifestyle were dispelled by the hospitality of local residents and officials, while interactions with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel deepened her appreciation of their discipline, humility, dedication and commitment to the nation. She said participants from different States, languages and cultures arrived as strangers but returned as one family, reflecting the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Photographs of the Nelang and Jadung Valleys and apple orchards generated considerable interest among her friends, many of whom subsequently registered on MYBharat. She also recalled the equipment provided to help participants adapt to the cold climate, the resilience of a resident who chose to remain in his landslide-affected native village despite hardship, and the peaceful, meditative character of the Garhwali dance in contrast with the energetic folk dances of her home State.

Recalling his visit to Mukhwa village in Uttarakhand, the Prime Minister said the interaction reaffirmed his belief that India’s youth place the nation first. “The manner in which all of you have lived the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat will inspire many more young people,” observed Shri Modi.

Twenty-one-year-old MYBharat Volunteer Ms Sayantika Mistry from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands thanked the Prime Minister for envisioning MYBharat as a platform enabling crores of young people to contribute to nation-building. Recounting her journey from sea level to Maan village in Ladakh at an altitude of nearly 17,000 feet, she described suffering from acute mountain sickness and the care extended by the MYBharat team and ITBP personnel, including doctors who prioritised treating her as their guest before attending to their own personnel. She said the experience showed that ITBP personnel not only protected the borders but also cared deeply for citizens and made her appreciate the resilience required to live in high-altitude conditions. Contrary to her family’s expectation of poor connectivity, she found reliable internet, QR-code and UPI payment facilities and Wi-Fi in the border region. She also interacted with local children, one of whom expressed a desire to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and highlighted the community spirit through which residents collectively organised weddings and monastery events, restored a damaged mobile tower and constructed a storage facility for its batteries.

Encouraging Ms Mistry to document her experience through articles or a book so that others could better understand the country’s vastness, people and shared sense of belonging, Shri Modi remarked, “When you share joy, it multiplies.”

MYBharat Volunteer Shri Ashish Soni from Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh, who is preparing for the Civil Services Examination, thanked the Prime Minister for enabling young people to contribute suggestions during the Budget-making process. Sharing his experience of Kaza Khas in Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti region, he said his parents, who remembered a time when mobile connectivity in remote areas was difficult, were astonished when he video-called them from nearly 14,000 feet. Describing MYBharat as a bridge between a generation that had witnessed struggle and another witnessing transformation, he recounted writing letters from the world’s highest post office at Hikkim to the Prime Minister, his family, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Defence Minister and his District Magistrate. He said India was connected not only through metros and airports but also through institutions serving its remotest regions and highlighted QR-code payments at around 14,500 feet as evidence that Digital India had become a source of trust across the country. His interactions with women’s self-help groups introduced him to entrepreneurship through homestays, digital platforms and sea buckthorn-based products, while discussions on the PM MUDRA Yojana and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana focused on expanding livelihood opportunities. He also highlighted the role of the Border Roads Organisation-built Chicham Bridge in improving connectivity, tourism and economic activity, besides noting the region’s potential for night tourism.

Observing that technology had reached every corner of the country and that purchasing local products would generate employment, support livelihoods and carry regional identities across India, Shri Modi urged, “Wherever you travel, spend at least five per cent of your travel budget on buying products from local people.”

Concluding the interaction, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes to the young participants. The programme highlighted MYBharat’s role in enabling young people to experience first-hand the transformation of India’s border villages, dispel outdated perceptions and deepen their understanding of the country’s cultural diversity, developmental progress, community participation and the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.