Washington DC: India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized that India and the United States are “destined,” to be strong partners, highlighting that only these two nations can bring peace, prosperity, and stability around the world.
Minister Singh, currently on an official visit to Washington from August 23-26, at the invitation of the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, addressed members of the Indian Community on August 22nd, at the Willard Intercontinental in the nation’s capital.
Speaking to the community, he remarked, “When Columbus embarked on his expedition to discover America, he encountered the Native Americans and referred to them as Red Indians… I believe that from the beginning, destiny has intended for India-US ties to be strong, and our relationship continues to grow stronger.”
During his address, Minister Singh expressed his deep connection with the Indian diaspora on his travels abroad, likening his meetings with them to reuniting with close family members. He praised their broad knowledge and global awareness. Addressing concerns about the global perception of India and Indians, he affirmed that India is highly respected worldwide and these days when “India speaks, the world listens.”
He highlighted the strength of the Indian economy, which is evident in its advancements in technology, manufacturing, and exports. While India once relied heavily on imports, it is now positioned to export through its Make in India initiatives. Achieving such progress, he said, requires both willpower and effective policy, noting that there is now a list of 5,000 items that will no longer be imported but instead manufactured in India.
Minister Singh also discussed some of the Indian government’s recent policy advancements. For example, environmental clearances that previously took 600 days or more are now processed in less than 75 days. He added that India is currently leading the world in digital financial transactions, and the country’s manufacturing sector is expanding rapidly.
He further underscored that the government has significantly improved the business environment by removing 40,000 compliance requirements, and the number of start-ups has surged from around 400-500 to over 120,000. According to him, India is now the second-largest mobile phone exporter and leads globally in digital transactions, accounting for over 46 per cent of them worldwide.
Referring to Morgan Stanley’s assessment, which stated that India is on track to become one of the world’s top three economies by 2027, driven by its rapid growth, Minister Singh acknowledged that “India is one of the fastest-growing major economies.”
Quoting US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, the Minister said, “If you want to see the future, come to India. If you want to feel the future, come to India. If you want to work on the future, come to India.”
The Minister also highlighted India’s significant progress over time, emphasizing that the country now ranks among the top three globally fastest-growing economy. He praised India’s effective management of the COVID-19 crisis and the government’s initiative to provide electricity to over 250 million people. Concluding his speech, he expressed optimism for India’s continued growth driven by wisdom and strength, then proceeded to thank the audience and answer their questions.
Indian Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, warmly welcomed Minister Singh and acknowledged his extensive service to the country, particularly in the manufacturing sector. He also greeted the Indian diaspora with pride, expressing his honor in addressing and welcoming everyone to the event.
