Arun Kumar

New York City: Global business leaders have begun to invest immensely in India’s future. Participants at the New York conference Incredible India @60 were looking at an India beyond its 9 per cent growth.

Experts and laymen were unanimous that India offered great opportunities not only in terms of a huge market, but also as a source of young and vibrant talent. India’s growth momentum will define the global growth story, was the feeling among the world’s leading chief executives.

Addressing the session, Digital opportunities: What’s Beyond the Back Office, John Chambers, chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems, said that not only was India a young country, it also offered tremendous out-of-the-box thinking. The growth of India will affect the global growth rate, he said, and added Cisco was going to bet heavily on India.

India had been on the wrong side of history for the past 200 years, but for the next 200 years, she is going to be on the right side of history, said Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP, and one of the world’s most powerful admen, in a panel discussion on Brand India: What Next?

India greatest attribute was perhaps its ability to partner at all levels, be it government, business or civil society, Chambers said. Its proximity to the three requirements of growth — innovation, talent and the availability of the next generation of partners — had led Cisco Systems to target India as an investment destination.

“India is a country I believe in, a country I am proud to welcome to the world stage,” he told the jam-packed audience of global business leaders. Arun Sarin, chief executive of Vodafone, said: “I met more than 100 CEOs in a year, and I have not found a single one who has not opened an office in India.” Sarin told the Harvard Club of New York City: “Your company may be changed by acquiring a company in India. If India is not on your canvass, revisit your strategy, it will help you.”

Naina Lal Kidwai, chief executive of HSBC and one of India’s most successful businesswomen, felt successful CEOs such as Rajat Gupta and Arun Sarin had helped in strengthening India’s image abroad. What started with information technology revolution in the 90s has now gone into other areas. In fact some of the big-ticket acquisitions by Indian companies have made the world realise the strength of India, she said.

arunkumar@hindustantimes.com