New Delhi: Start-ups, innovation and manufacturing are the thrust areas of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit.
Modi's tour to Silicon Valley was aimed to give a shot in the arm of his pet project Digital India Campaign. It was also to understand firsthand success story of iconic companies and their leaders with the objective of building a similar ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
The dinner hosted by PM Modi on September 24 witnessed the participation of over 40 CEO's of Fortune 500 companies.
Modi is the first Indian leader to visit California in more than three decades, to meet the CEOs of digital companies in his proposal to push digital economy as well as renewable energy in India.
Modi also visited Silicon Valley on September 26 and 27 where he met several startups who signed on to PM Modi's 'Digital India' initiative, announcing a slew of initiatives.
Here are the top CEO's perspectives about India after meeting PM Modi:
1. Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg
India is very important in the history of Facebook. I consider India a "temple" of knowledge from where I took inspiration to rebuild Facebook when the company went through a "rough patch" and was on the verge of being sold more than 10 years ago.
2. Google's Sundar Pichai
I'm excited because I care about technology and know India will play a huge part in facilitating it. India is the fastest growing startup nation in the world. There are more than 3,000 startups in India. These are global success stories. While in India, I could feel the change. Hungry entrepreneurs, similar to ones I meet in Silicon Valley.
3. Microsoft's Satya Nadella
India has world class entrepreneurs and human capital. The Prime Minister's vision is spot on; he knows how tech is a powerful tool to enable human ingenuity. We have plans to take technology to 500,000 villages in India. We will bring world class infrastructure to India and respecting digital securities is key milestone for us.
4. Apple's Tim Cook
India has a special place in every Apple employees mind; our founder Steve Jobs found his inspiration in India.
5. John Chambers of Cisco Systems
PM Modi is an amazing ambassador of India's growth story. PM Modi will change the world. He has a global vision, he understands global trends. US and India will be very strong because of your (PM Modi's) leadership.
6. Paul Jacobs of Qualcomm
We're extremely excited, motivated with PM Modi's Digital India vision. India under PM Modi's leadership is really moving in the right direction. India has more internet traffic on mobiles than any other country. India is providing a huge market for smartphone technology.
