New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) On the eve of his week long visit to the US to attend the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly and bilateral engagements with President Donald Trump and other world leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said America is "an enabler for India in economic growth and national security".
"The US is a vital partner for our national development, with rich possibilities of partnership in education, skills, research, technology and innovation, and an enabler for India in economic growth and national security," he said in a pre-departure statement.
"We will review our bilateral relations in order to bring even more benefits to our two nations and people," Prime Minister said in reference to the Modi-Trump bilateral meet likely to be held on September 24 in New York.
Mr Modi's statement has significance on its own as his government unveiled a new series of corporate tax cuts and other economic measures to boost what is generally considered to be the sagging economy.
Opposition parties in India including the Congress and the CPI-M have been attacking the government for joblessness in the country.
Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that any domestic company can have option henceforth to pay income-tax at the rate of 22 per cent subject to conditions.
Prime Minister - predictably - welcomed the new moves and said these will "give a great stimulus" to the flagship 'Make in India' programme, attract private investment and also create more jobs.
The government announcement will also result in a "win-win (situation) for 130 crore Indians", he tweeted.
Taking a dig at the government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "...At + 1.4 Lakh Crore Rs the Houston event is the world's most expensive event, ever! But, no event can hide the reality of the economic mess HowdyModi has driven India into".
CPI-M general secretary echoed similar sentiment and wrote: "Announcement timed for proposed spectacle of 'Howdy Modi' in the US? Massive concessions to foreign speculators.
He also wrote: "When we needed more money in the hands of the people to stimulate demand, the government has handed it to corporates instead. This is crony capitalism at its worst".
Nevertheless, Prime Minister said in his pre-departure statement: "Working together, we (India and US) can contribute to building a more peaceful, stable, secure, sustainable and prosperous world".
Mr Modi further said with the "shared values, convergent interests and complementary strengths", both the countries have the foundation for natural partnership between the world's oldest and largest democracies.
In Houston, Prime Minister will interact with CEOs of leading energy companies in the US on Saturday with an aim to enhance India-US energy partnership.
"Energy has emerged as a new area of mutually beneficial cooperation and is fast becoming an important facet of our bilateral relationship," Mr Modi said.
According to sources, at his first stop engagement at the Round Table meet Mr Modi is set to have interaction with representatives from companies such as Vinmar International, Cheniere Energy, Dominion Energy, IHS Markit, Schlumberger and Emerson Electric Company.
The Prime Minister will hold yet another round of crucial Round Table with CEOs from as many as 45 noted global companies in New York on September 25.
In the said meeting, top representatives and CEOs from big time corporate players such as Microsoft, Google, Cisco, Blackstone Group, Bank of America, Qualcomn Technology, USIBC, AES Corporation, Deloitte, IBM, Lynx, JP Morgan and Chase, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co, Lockheed Martin, Marriot International and Mastercard Financial Services would be attending.
Prime Minister will address the UNGA on September 27 and will have bilateral engagements with 20 global leaders including the US President Donald Trump.
UNI DEVN-RSA 2119