PM Modi meets United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon

“We do not have the right to deprive succeeding generations of their rights”, Swarup said, quoting the Prime Minister.

Hoping “Modi will take back with him a grand vision of the future; an understanding of what has become possible”, Wadhwa said, “his challenge is to inspire Indian entrepreneurs to achieve to the same degree as their kin in Silicon Valley”.

Talking about his government’s efforts for fighting climate change, the Prime Minister said it is focussing on clean energy sources and has set an ambitious target of generating 175 giga watts in the next seven years.

“Today, in the 70th year of the existence of the United Nations, there are expectations from all of us that through our wisdom, experience, generosity and expertise we will overcome these challenges”, he said. One of them said, “It is not an easy place to do business”.

They praised the Prime Minister’s efforts to improve the climate for business, while highlighting the obstacles. “Our global partnerships need to be centred on progress of humanity”, he said.

The Prime Minister said while working for the Sustainable Development Goals, there should be “climate justice” to ensure that poor are protected from natural tragedies. As the top American CEOs pulled no punches about the “obstacles” in ease of doing business in India, Modi promised to fast-track the decision-making process, acknowledging that “the world is not going to wait for us”. For the people of India, it is a matter of satisfaction that there are many similarities between the path India has chosen for development and the United Nations goals for sustainable development, Modi said.

Outlining his government’s programmes towards financial inclusion, he said 180 million new bank accounts had been opened, and termed the measure the biggest empowerment for the poor.

Modi said earlier there was talk only of the private sector or public sector, but his government has focused on the “personal sector”, like individual enterprise through micro finance, innovation, start ups, creating opportunities and providing clean water, power, health, education, hygiene for all – all that is needed to live a decent life. “The world must be free from poverty and development must be sustainable”, he said.