Nooyi for active role of US business community in India's devp

Betwa Sharma
Washington, Nov 24 (PTI) Noting that India's rapid
growth is a critical engine of global economy, PepsiCo chief
Indra Nooyi has said the business community in the US was
eager on playing an active role in the country's future
economic development.
"India is now on a trajectory of more rapid growth. It
now stands in fact as a critical engine of global growth, a
vital partner in global security and a model for democratic
development," Nooyi, who is the chairperson of the US-India
Business Council, said following an address by Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, here.
Underlining that US-India relations have been deepening,
Nooyi said, "We've been able to transform the US-India
relationship fundamentally from one of Cold War mistrust to
really strategic partnership."
"I know I speak for all the business interests in this
room when I say that we wish you the best for that
development," she noted. "More than that, we want to actively
participate. In this interconnected world, no nation will
succeed unless it enjoys profitable relationships with
others."
"Preparing that relationship for the next level is
within our grasp and it only requires the firm commitment of
both our countries," she added.
Earlier in his talk, the Prime Minister noted that India
needed great investments in human resource development,
education, and hard infrastructure.
"It goes without saying that human resource development
is probably the most critical component of our development
aspirations," he said. "If we succeed in improving the skill
level of our population, we would have mounted an effective
attack on problems of poverty, ignorance and disease."
Nooyi responded saying the private sector in US can play
crucial role in the future partnerships with India and help
strengthen several areas of development including
infrastructure, education, defence cooperation and skills
development.
Highlighting Singh's contribution towards India's
economic rejuvenation, and his role in placing the country on
the global stage, Nooyi said the Indian leader should be
counted as a hero.
"The long history of India contains many great men and
women. The short history of Indian democracy has its heroes as
well. I think you should already be added to their number,"
she said.
"In your quiet and modest way, first as the finance
minister and now as the prime minister, you have done more
than anyone to lift the Indian people and to transform India
from one stage of development to the next," she said. PTI BS