New Delhi/Dubai, Oct 1 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India today is a land of opportunities and one of the most open countries in the world, as he invited businesspersons to invest in India, in his address at the inauguration of the India Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020.

In a virtual address at the inauguration, the Prime Minister also said that India is participating in the Expo with one of the largest pavilions.

“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, adding that the pavilion will showcase India across multiple areas.

The main theme of Expo 2020 is Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. The Prime Minister said the spirit of the theme is also seen in India’s efforts “at moving ahead to create a new India”.

“This expo is testimony to the resilience of mankind against the once-in-a-century pandemic,” he asserted.

The theme of India’s pavilion at Expo 2020 is 'Opportunities, Openness and Growth'.

Elaborating on the theme, he said: “Today, India is one of the most open countries in the world -- Open to learning, open to perspectives, open to innovation, open to investment. That is why I invite you to come and invest in our nation.”
“Today India is a land of opportunities, be it in the field of arts or commerce, industry or academia, there is opportunity to discover, opportunity to partner, opportunity to progress. Come to India and explore these opportunities.”

“India also offers you maximum growth: growth in scale, growth in ambition, growth in results. Come to India and be a part of our growth story,” he invited.

“India is famous for its vibrancy, and diversity, we have different cultures, languages, cuisines, forms of art, music and dance. This diversity is reflected in our pavilion.”

“Similarly, India is a powerhouse of talent, our country 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,” the PM said, and added that it will also showcase investment opportunities in multiple sectors like health, textiles, infrastructure, services and more.

He said over the last seven years, the Government of India has undertaken several reforms to boost economic growth. “We will keep doing more to continue this trend.”

He invited everyone to visit the India pavilion and capitalize on the opportunities in the resurgent new India.

“Let us make the world a much better place to live with; Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sab ka Prayas,” he said.
Earlier in the speech, he said the expo will go a long way in further building the deep and historical relations with the UAE and with Dubai.

He also thanked the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and Vice President and ruler of the emirate of Dubai. He also thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and said he is “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,” he added.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is in the UAE for inauguration of the India pavilion.
After a one-year delay owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dubai on Thursday kicked off its USD 7 billion Expo 2020.

The event will go on until March 2022 and is likely to see participants from over 190 countries.
The Indian pavilion at the Expo is being represented by Vedanta Resources, which has partnered with the Indian government to showcase the country’s growth potential and celebration of India’s 75th year of Independence.

UNI/RN