English Translation of Keynote Address by Prime Minister at the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Businesses (APK 2024)
Excellency Chancellor Scholz, Vice Chancellor Dr. Robert Habeck, Ministers of the Indian Government, Dr. Busch, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business, Industry leaders from India, Germany, and Indo-Pacific countries, Ladies and gentlemen, Namaskar! Guten Tag! Friends, Today is a very special day. My friend, Chancellor Scholz, has come to India for the fourth time. His first visit was as a Mayor, and the next three have been during his terms as the Chancellor, which highlights his focus on India-Germany relations. The Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business is being held in India after a gap of 12 years. On one hand, a CEO forum meeting is taking place, and on the other, our navies are exercising together. German naval ships are currently on a port call in Goa. Additionally, the seventh Inter-Governmental Consultations between India and Germany will be held shortly. Clearly, the friendship between India and Germany is deepening at every step, on every front. Friends, This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. The next 25 years will see this partnership reach new heights. We have created a roadmap for India's development over the coming 25 years. I am happy that at such a critical time, the German Cabinet has released the "Focus on India” document. The world's two strongest democracies, Two of the world's leading economies, together, we can become a force for global good, and the Focus on India document provides a blueprint for this. In this, Germany’s holistic approach and commitment to pursuing the strategic partnership are clearly evident. Especially noteworthy is the trust that Germany has expressed in the skilled workforce of India. Germany has decided to increase the number of visas for skilled Indians from 20,000 to 90,000 per year. I am confident that this will further boost Germany's economic growth. Friends, Our bilateral trade has surpassed 30 billion dollars. Today, while hundreds of German companies operate in India, Indian companies are also rapidly expanding in Germany. India is becoming a prime center of diversification and de-risking and is emerging as a hub of global trade and manufacturing. Given this scenario, now is the most opportune time for you to make in India, and make for the world. Friends, The Asia-Pacific Conference has played an essential role in strengthening relations between the EU and the Asia-Pacific region. But I don't see this platform as limited to trade and investment alone. I see it as a partnership for the Indo-Pacific region and a better future for the world. The world needs stability and sustainability, trust and transparency. These values must be emphasized on every front, whether in society or supply chains. Without them, no country or region can envision a brighter future. The Indo-Pacific region is very important for the future of the world. Whether it is in terms of global growth, population, or skills, the contribution and potential of this region are immense. This conference, therefore, holds even greater significance. Friends, The people of India value a stable polity and a predictable policy ecosystem. This is why, after 60 years, a government has been elected for a third consecutive term. This trust in India has been strengthened over the last decade through reform, performance, and transformative governance. When the common citizen of India feels this way, where else would be better for businesses and investors like you? Friends, India stands on four strong pillars: Democracy, Demography, Demand, and Data. Talent, technology, innovation, and infrastructure are the tools for India's growth. Today, an additional great force drives all of these: the strength of Aspirational India. That is, the combined power of AI — Artificial Intelligence and Aspirational India — is with us. Our youth are driving Aspirational India. In the last century, natural resources accelerated development. In this century, human resources and innovations will propel growth. This is why India is committed to democratizing skills and technology for its youth. Friends, India is working today for the needs of the future world. Whether it is Mission AI, Our Semiconductor Mission, the Quantum Mission, Mission Green Hydrogen, Missions related to space technology, or the Digital India Mission, all of them aim to provide the best and most reliable solutions for the world. These areas offer numerous investment and collaboration opportunities for all of you. Friends, India is committed to providing every innovation with a strong platform and the best infrastructure. Our digital public infrastructure is creating endless opportunities for new startups and Industry 4.0. India is also transforming its physical infrastructure with record investments in rail, roads, airports, and ports. There are extensive opportunities here for companies from Germany and the Indo-Pacific region. I am pleased that India and Germany are working together on renewable energy. Last month, the fourth Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet was organized in Gujarat in collaboration with Germany. An India-Germany platform has also been launched for investing in renewable energy at the global level. I hope you will take advantage of the green hydrogen ecosystem that India is developing. Friends, This is the right time to join India's growth story. When India's dynamism meets Germany's precision, When Germany's engineering meets India's innovation, When Germany's technology combines with India's talent, a brighter future is envisioned for the Indo-Pacific region and the world. Friends, You belong to the business world. Your mantra is "When we meet, we mean business.” But coming to India is not only about business; if you miss India's culture, cuisine, and shopping, you will miss a lot. I assure you: You will be happy, and your family back home will be even happier. Thank you very much, and may this conference and your stay in India be both fruitful and memorable. Thank you. DISCLAIMER -This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister's remarks. Original remarks were delivered in Hindi. *** MJPS/SR Excellency Chancellor Scholz, Vice Chancellor Dr. Robert Habeck, Ministers of the Indian Government, Dr. Busch, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business, Industry leaders from India, Germany, and Indo-Pacific countries, Ladies and gentlemen, Namaskar! Guten Tag! Friends, Today is a very special day. My friend, Chancellor Scholz, has come to India for the fourth time. His first visit was as a Mayor, and the next three have been during his terms as the Chancellor, which highlights his focus on India-Germany relations. The Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business is being held in India after a gap of 12 years. On one hand, a CEO forum meeting is taking place, and on the other, our navies are exercising together. German naval ships are currently on a port call in Goa. Additionally, the seventh Inter-Governmental Consultations between India and Germany will be held shortly. Clearly, the friendship between India and Germany is deepening at every step, on every front. Friends, This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. The next 25 years will see this partnership reach new heights. We have created a roadmap for India's development over the coming 25 years. I am happy that at such a critical time, the German Cabinet has released the "Focus on India” document. The world's two strongest democracies, Two of the world's leading economies, together, we can become a force for global good, and the Focus on India document provides a blueprint for this. In this, Germany’s holistic approach and commitment to pursuing the strategic partnership are clearly evident. Especially noteworthy is the trust that Germany has expressed in the skilled workforce of India. Germany has decided to increase the number of visas for skilled Indians from 20,000 to 90,000 per year. I am confident that this will further boost Germany's economic growth. Friends, Our bilateral trade has surpassed 30 billion dollars. Today, while hundreds of German companies operate in India, Indian companies are also rapidly expanding in Germany. India is becoming a prime center of diversification and de-risking and is emerging as a hub of global trade and manufacturing. Given this scenario, now is the most opportune time for you to make in India, and make for the world. Friends, The Asia-Pacific Conference has played an essential role in strengthening relations between the EU and the Asia-Pacific region. But I don't see this platform as limited to trade and investment alone. I see it as a partnership for the Indo-Pacific region and a better future for the world. The world needs stability and sustainability, trust and transparency. These values must be emphasized on every front, whether in society or supply chains. Without them, no country or region can envision a brighter future. The Indo-Pacific region is very important for the future of the world. Whether it is in terms of global growth, population, or skills, the contribution and potential of this region are immense. This conference, therefore, holds even greater significance. Friends, The people of India value a stable polity and a predictable policy ecosystem. This is why, after 60 years, a government has been elected for a third consecutive term. This trust in India has been strengthened over the last decade through reform, performance, and transformative governance. When the common citizen of India feels this way, where else would be better for businesses and investors like you? Friends, India stands on four strong pillars: Democracy, Demography, Demand, and Data. Talent, technology, innovation, and infrastructure are the tools for India's growth. Today, an additional great force drives all of these: the strength of Aspirational India. That is, the combined power of AI — Artificial Intelligence and Aspirational India — is with us. Our youth are driving Aspirational India. In the last century, natural resources accelerated development. In this century, human resources and innovations will propel growth. This is why India is committed to democratizing skills and technology for its youth. Friends, India is working today for the needs of the future world. Whether it is Mission AI, Our Semiconductor Mission, the Quantum Mission, Mission Green Hydrogen, Missions related to space technology, or the Digital India Mission, all of them aim to provide the best and most reliable solutions for the world. These areas offer numerous investment and collaboration opportunities for all of you. Friends, India is committed to providing every innovation with a strong platform and the best infrastructure. Our digital public infrastructure is creating endless opportunities for new startups and Industry 4.0. India is also transforming its physical infrastructure with record investments in rail, roads, airports, and ports. There are extensive opportunities here for companies from Germany and the Indo-Pacific region. I am pleased that India and Germany are working together on renewable energy. Last month, the fourth Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet was organized in Gujarat in collaboration with Germany. An India-Germany platform has also been launched for investing in renewable energy at the global level. I hope you will take advantage of the green hydrogen ecosystem that India is developing. Friends, This is the right time to join India's growth story. When India's dynamism meets Germany's precision, When Germany's engineering meets India's innovation, When Germany's technology combines with India's talent, a brighter future is envisioned for the Indo-Pacific region and the world. Friends, You belong to the business world. Your mantra is "When we meet, we mean business.” But coming to India is not only about business; if you miss India's culture, cuisine, and shopping, you will miss a lot. I assure you: You will be happy, and your family back home will be even happier. Thank you very much, and may this conference and your stay in India be both fruitful and memorable. Thank you. DISCLAIMER -This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister's remarks. Original remarks were delivered in Hindi. *** MJPS/SR