PM Modi's US Breakfast Meet: American Corporates Keen on India Opportunities

New York: Bullish on opportunities in India, top US corporates including Boeing, IBM and BlackRock on Monday expressed their keenness to strengthen engagements with the country during their meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who promised a friendlier business environment.

They expressed interest to participate in diverse initiatives including those related to smart cities.

PM Modi, who is on a five-day visit to the United States, met a galaxy of top American corporate honchos on Monday, from companies including Boeing, IBM, PepsiCo, BlackRock and Google.

Defence major Boeing wants to accelerate its engagement with India, its CEO James McNerney said.

During the meeting with PM Modi, technology major IBM's CEO, Virginia Rometty, evinced interest to participate in the government's new initiatives related to smart cities and digital India. (Read more)

Reflecting optimism over opportunities in the country, Blackrock CEO Laurence Flik conveyed to Mr Modi that his company, which is the world's largest asset manager, would host a global investors meet in India next year.

After meeting Mr Modi, India-origin PepsiCo chief Indra Nooyi said, "He answers questions brilliantly and is very focused on improving India. So, we are thrilled to be working with him."

Another India-origin CEO Ajay Banga, who is at the helm of Mastercard, said Mr Modi was a good listener and that he believed that the PM can execute plans like the way he did in Gujarat.

India is a great country and place to invest, GE chief Jeff Immelt said, adding that he had an excellent meeting with Mr Modi.

Hosting a breakfast for 11 CEOs, Mr Modi said India is open-minded and want the change, which is "not one-sided".

The Prime Minister also held meetings with six other top American corporate executives including KKR CEO Henry Kravis and Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein.

(Read: Eager to participate in India growth story: Goldman Sachs)