Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for the country's youth and diaspora to play a greater role in global growth, saying that India's skill capital could become a driving force for the world's economic expansion.
“This skill capital can become the engine of global growth,” Modi said during a speech to the diaspora at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore.
The annual event brings together overseas Indians to interact and engage with each other.
The Indian diaspora should not only be knowledgeable about the country's culture and spirituality, but also be able to speak about India's growth story, in particular, its technological advancements, among which are the Tejas fighter planes, the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and the Arihant nuclear submarine.
Given this, it would be natural for the rest of the world to be curious about India and its progress.
Modi also highlighted India's cashless economy and fintech sector, noting that 40% of the world's real-time digital transactions are currently taking place in India.
"India's strength will grow further in the days to come. And so will the curiosity about India. And that is why the responsibility of the Indians living overseas also grows manifold. The more you know about India the more you will be able to tell others with facts," Modi said.
“G-20 is not just a diplomatic event but it should be turned into a historic event of public participation where one can witness the sentiment of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava (guests are like Gods),” the Prime Minister said.
The President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who was the chief guest at the event, praised Modi for showing that globalisation still exists during the COVID-19 pandemic through India's efforts to provide vaccines and medicine to other countries. He described India as an important strategic partner.