New Delhi: Launching the India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Expo historic.
"I am sure the Expo will go a long way in further building our deep and historical relations with UAE, and with Dubai,” he said.
The Prime Minister greeted His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Al Nahyan, President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.
The Prime Minister also expressed best wishes to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, saying “he has been instrumental in the progress we have achieved in our strategic partnership. I look forward to continuing our work for the progress and prosperity of both our countries.”
The Prime Minister remarked that the main theme of Expo 2020 is: "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. The spirit of this theme is also seen in India's efforts as we move ahead to create a New India. This expo is also testimony to the resilience of mankind against the once in a century pandemic.”
Referring to the theme of India's pavilion ‘Openness, Opportunity and Growth’, the Prime Minister stressed that today’s India is one of the most open countries in the world, open to learning, open to perspectives, open to innovation, open to investment.“
Talking about the vibrancy and diversity of India, the Prime Minister said that India is a powerhouse of talent and remarked that India is making many advances in the world of technology, research and innovation.
“Our economic growth is powered by a combination of legacy industries and start-ups. India's pavilion will showcase the best of India across these multiple areas,” he said.
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Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, inaugurated the India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday.
“The reforms unleashed in the last seven years by the government under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and especially during the Corona period, are set to boost the country’s manufacturing and exports potential and make India a global economic hub, besides strengthening its capabilities in the technology space. India is already a leading player in the global markets in IT, Pharma and space technology, and with the development of research and innovation capabilities, the country’s prowess in these areas would help reap the benefits of new-age technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics,” Goyal said.
He added that the lessons learnt from the pandemic have also emboldened our confidence of surpassing any challenge in future with the help of our scientific and entrepreneurial research and development capabilities — whether it is development of pharma and healthcare products or running of the world’s biggest vaccination program banking on the two indigenously produced vaccines, India has set several examples.
The minister added that those visiting the India Pavilion during the six months of EXPO 2020, till March 31, 2022, will get a glimpse of the country’s ancient treasures, business achievements, innovations and leading opportunities with cutting-edge technologies.
“We are on the way to reaching and surpassing USD 400 billion exports per year target and a GDP growth that will take us to becoming a USD 5 trillion economy, and beyond. The next 25 years are set to symbolise India’s golden growth phase,” Goyal said, and invited the global community to be part of this resurgent ‘New India’ journey.
“The India Pavilion will showcase a modern, robust India — high on technology, while simultaneously exhibiting the beauty of Indian art, culture and cuisine during the 183 days that the event will run,” he said.
While India-UAE trade has also been impacted by the pandemic, it was valued close to USD 60 billion in 2019-20 with UAE being India’s third-largest trading partner, and UAE being India’s second-largest export destination after the US, with an export value of approximately USD 29 billion in 2019-20.
UAE is also the 8th largest investor in India, having invested USD 11 billion between April 2000 and March 2021. India aspires to make significant progress in catalyzing the investments from UAE to India across the focus sectors, including Gems & Jewellery, Textiles, Pharma and IT.
