 that we look forward to a wonderful evening with Secretary Blinken and also with the Prime Minister of India, Sherry Modiji. Save me. Let me invite John Chambers and Secretary Blinken on the stage. Please, I ask you to rise and welcome Honorable Prime Minister of India to the stage. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, it's my honor to welcome Secretary of State Blinken to make some remarks on this historic occasion. But as a longtime friend of India, Secretary Blinken really needs no introduction to the people in this room. When President Biden nominated Secretary Blinken to serve as the 71st Secretary of State, a role first occupied by Thomas Jefferson himself, it was clear he had chosen someone of deep knowledge, experience, and skills. As a career diplomat in the Clinton and Obama administration and senior foreign policy advisor to Senator and then Vice President Biden, Secretary Blinken developed the extensive strategic vision and preliminary acumen to guide our nation through diplomatic challenges around the globe. Over the past two years, Secretary Blinken has focused these significant skills on navigating new challenges, rebuilding critical alliances, and strengthening consequential partnership necessary for to meet the global challenges of the 21st century. We see the fruit of his effort on display here today in the deep enduring partnership between the United States and India, which is considered the consequential partnership of the 21st century. We are honored to have Secretary Blinken join us today to share his thoughts on that relationship. Secretary Blinken, the floor is yours. Thank you, everyone. Good evening. It's wonderful to be with all of you this evening. Now, I have to say, Mukesh, it's a little bit intimidating to be in the same sentence with Thomas Jefferson, but I appreciate it. And I also have to say, as a one-time aspiring musician, I especially appreciate being able to take the stage here at the Kennedy Center. It's probably the closest I'll get to actually performing on it. Mr. Prime Minister, this has truly been a historic visit to Washington. To Dr. Mukesh Aghi, to the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, to the members of the Indian-American diaspora. And we've noticed that you're here this week to all the friends of the US-India cooperation here with us. Thank you. Thank you for your work to bring our countries and our citizens ever closer together. You are. You are, as Prime Minister Modi put it, the real engine powering our relationship. Over the last several decades, we have seen a transformation in US-India ties, driven by private sector and civil society leaders like you, by governments of different parties in both of our countries. Today, guided by the vision of President Biden and Prime Minister Modi, the US-India partnership is closer, it's broader, it is more dynamic than it has ever been. And as President Biden said yesterday, we are two great nations, two great friends, two great powers that can define the course of the 21st century. The many deals, the agreements, the exchanges that are coming out of this state visit illustrate just how comprehensive our partnership has become. It reaches quite literally from the seas to the stars, from promoting public health to bolstering peace and stability in the Pacific. And at its heart is our economic engagement between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and others that is expanding opportunity for both of our countries and beyond. Together, we are facilitating greater trade and investment, building on what is already a record $191 billion in bilateral trade. We see the mutual benefits of this relationship when Air India purchases 200 Boeing aircraft, supporting over a million American jobs in 44 states. And we see it when Boeing, in turn, commits to training Indian pilots and building regional hubs in India. This partnership is also defined increasingly by efforts to advance technology and innovation, 5G, quantum, artificial intelligence, and to ensure that they are shaped by our values. Building on the initiative on critical and emerging technologies that was launched in January, we announced an innovation handshake yesterday to further connect our startup ecosystems. And the landmark agreement to jointly manufacture advanced GE fighter jet engines in India will facilitate greater tech transfer while strengthening our shared security. We're also de-risking and diversifying our supply chains from micron investing $800 million to assemble semiconductors in Gujarat to India joining the mineral security partnership. And that partnership is helping to develop and ensure trusted sources for vital energy minerals. India's Epsilon Carbon is investing $650 million and creating more than 500 good-paying jobs to build electric vehicle batteries here in the United States, the largest ever Indian investment in the US EV battery industry. And, of course, we're investing in our people. Our country's education systems have collectively trained the leaders of trailblazing companies in both the United States and India with emphasis, IBM, FedEx, and we're committed to continuing to create new success stories, streamlining visa processes, opening new consulates to facilitate travel, expanding student exchanges, research collaborations, addressing skills gaps, promoting economic empowerment of women, ensuring that all our people have access to opportunity. You know, if we were gathered together 50, 75, 100 years ago, and we were asking ourselves the question, what constitutes the wealth of a nation? Probably the answer you get back then is maybe the size of its landmass, its population, the strength of its military, its abundance of raw materials. And all of those things remain important. But I think what the United States and India recognize powerfully together is that in this 21st century, the true wealth of our nation is our people. And our ability to maximize their potential is what sets us apart. President Biden often likes to say that America can be defined by a single word, possibilities. These past few days have underscored how that spirit, that spirit of possibility, defines now the US-India relationship. Our governments will continue to do our part. But I'm asking all of you in this room to continue to do yours. Forge new ventures and partnerships. Invent game-changing products and services. Create unimagined opportunities. Visit friends and family in India. I'll host them here in the United States. Maybe even right here at the Kennedy Center. Continue to be that engine powering our progress. If we do all that, if we do all that, I truly believe that the US and India will shape together a more peaceful, a more prosperous, a more connected future. Thank you all so very much. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome USISPF Chairman, Chairman Emeritus of Cisco Systems, and CEO of JC2 Ventures, Mr. John Chambers. Thank you, my friends. It is one of the biggest honors of my life today to introduce a leader that I think grasps where the future is and is able to enable a country, partner with other countries, and change the world. I have met probably 40 of the top leaders around the world over 35 years in leadership. And the very first time I met the prime minister, he was different. He had an energy that was amazing. He had an understanding of technology and how technology was going to enable a country. And then he did something that is really unusual. He connected a vision to a strategy to what are the priorities to get it done to outcomes. And when he outlined his digital India strategy to me and asked for feedback, it was perfect for the future. He based his economy, inclusion of all the people in India, 1.4 billion today, on the ability to bring the power of technology to them, to change their lives, to enable them, to participate in what would be the largest economic growth of any country over the next decade. I want to be very upfront. As most of you know, I have been the biggest optimist, the biggest bull on India's future, not in one or two years, but for the last decade since he came into the leadership. I am the prime minister's biggest supporter, and I always have been. Honored to be his friend, but also watch a man who has the ability to outline a strategy and then make it happen. People often ask, what was so unique? What is so unique about this person that changes countries, and I believe would change the world over time? He has an ability to inspire hope, to make us believe on what's possible. He then has the ability to build confidence on what the future can be. Then he is amazingly good on execution and getting his team and other teams to port to our common goal. And then most importantly, gets results. Many in America have a very positive view of India and the prime minister, but they really don't understand how far this country's come in the last decade. The country has moved from a very slow follower where the government was very bureaucratic and very, very slow moving and rigid and not a dreamer to the most innovative country in the world. It shows up in the economic results where the country has moved from number 10 in the world to number five, and as the prime minister said, in the next couple of years, number three. However, I'm usually pretty good at getting market transitions and being accurate on connecting the dots for the future. India will become the number one economy in the world. And it will do so under the plans and programs the prime minister is putting in place. When you look at really leadership, leadership is made up of three component parts, in my opinion. It's your currency. It's first about your track record. And the track record of the prime minister in India over the last decade is an India of the entire world, an example and a model for us to follow. Secondly, it's ability to form relationships. This leader can form relationships with leaders around the world, with Democrats and Republicans, a little bit of Southern humor there. But also, he instills trust. And often when people come together and say, here's what we can do together in the future, it is all about trust. Do you trust me? Do you trust the other side that both of us will deliver? When people ask me that question, I have one simple answer. I would trust this leader with my life. So today, you're going to hear one of the great visionaries of the future who also knows how to execute. You're going to hear he'll be very humble. He's a very kind person. But you also hear a vision for what I believe will make India the number one economy. You're going to hear a vision of how two countries can partner together in a way that no two countries ever have in history toward work toward a common goal that will be to the benefit of every one of our citizens in India and in the United States, but also the benefit to the world. It is my pleasure to introduce one of the great leaders in the world, Prime Minister Modi. Please come and dress us up. Mere Mitra, Secretary Blinken, Governor of Delaware, distinguished congressman, other elected representatives, my old friend, John Chambers, my always great companion, Mukesh Hage, industry campaign, ladies and gentlemen. Namaskar, good evening. During our visit to America, I was waiting for this job very impatiently. All of you are strong pillars of the development of America. And that's why I also wanted to meet you. I also wanted to talk to you. I wanted to be a congressman, I wanted to be a business leader, I wanted to be a doctor, I wanted to be an engineer, I wanted to be a scientist, I wanted to be a professor. All of you have brought America to this level with your hard work. All of you are a part of the American dream. You have lived the American dream. You have shown how hard it is to get it to this level. Friends, I have been in America for four days. In these four days, President Biden, Samit, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, President Biden, And I am saying this with great confidence, with great courage. This partnership is not just a partnership of convenience. This partnership is of conviction. This partnership is of compassion. And this partnership is of shared commitment for a better world. And you are the foundation of this partnership. You are the nation of America and India. This partnership is more important. Across the party line, India has a strong support for India. Yesterday, in the Congress of America, bipartisan support has been given to India. It is the other side of the world. That is why, I am confident that our partnership can change the fate of the 21st century. Friends, in the development of every country, such a time period comes when a new goal is set with a new energy. A time period is going on. Some time ago, we completed our 75th anniversary of our independence. And we have come to a conclusion. Not Modi, but 140 million Indians have come to a conclusion. And this conclusion is the development of India. The development of India. We are solving problems that have been going on since decades. And we also give challenges to challenges. We are supporting the poor in India. Their ease of living is increasing. In 10 years, India, as Abhi John said, from the 10th no. of the world economy, has become the 5th no. of the world economy. The way in which India has fought this pandemic, it shows the strength of India. Do you know that today, in the post-pandemic world, economy, inflation, and supply chain, what is the situation? In the midst of all this, India is moving forward with more than 7% growth today. And this has not happened, friends. In India, reforms are going on. In the economic world, do you know that high growth, low inflation combination is not easy. But today, India is doing the same. The fiscal deficit is being controlled. CapEx is doing the same. Our exports are increasing. The forest is increasing. And the new FDI record is being made. In the last two and a half years, American companies have invested more than $16 billion in India. Friends, the basis of India's success, the biggest driving force of India's growth, is the aspiration of the people of India. This is not very different from American dreams. Today, in the GDP of India, the share of private consumption has become more than 1.5 billion. And the thing that we all have to deal with is that in India, extreme poverty is rapidly ending. In India, new middle class, there is a block which is becoming more and more complex. This is the aspiration of the people of India. India and America's partnership is becoming the most important part. In order to fulfill this huge amount of income, what India is doing, it has opened the door to new opportunities for America. Like in India, the demand is increasing in the aviation sector. The domestic air traffic of India is making our passengers' growth a new record. In order to fulfill this demand, India's airline companies are giving orders of 100 crore aircrafts. And it's profit, like Secretary Blinker said, it's profit is happening to the American companies. Jobs are being created here as well. Friends, in the defense sector, India and America's partnership are becoming a new record. Tomorrow, when I spoke to the Congress in this regard, in the whole of Saddam, I didn't have the time to stop the protests of the Tali people. This is happening. The state-run Biden's strong vision, foresight, the whole of Saddam was exploding. India, the defense partnership of America, near and dear to America, with all the state people, is creating a business model. A new source of help is opening up. The aircrafts in Arizona, Georgia's C-130, its super-hercules, Alabama's MH-60R helicopters, Washington and South Carolina's civilian Boeing aircraft, Pennsylvania's Chinook helicopter, with India, the defense and aerosol sector of America are also strengthening. Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota and Alaska are also getting help from the fastest-growing economy of India. Whether it's textile, food, or tourism, in almost every sector, the aspirations of India are strengthening the American economy. And I have one more thing to be happy about. India's companies are also investing billions of dollars in America. India's companies are becoming global. New Jersey, Texas, New York, California, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, there's a huge number of them. India's companies are operating. There's a huge number of them. The benefit of all of them is that the manufacturing industry is becoming the youth of America, the farmers of America. Along with that, the partnership between India and America is in the hands of both the countries and the people of both the countries. And that's why it's important to strengthen it. In President Biden's leadership, the government here is doing very well in this regard. You're seeing how in the past three days to strengthen this partnership, many historic steps have been taken. From defense to aviation sector, from applied material to manufacturing, from IT sector to space sector, India and America are moving forward like a most reliable partner. Now, you all, the business community, are moving forward to gain more profit from this opportunity. Friends, in every development project of India, it's time to strengthen the American dream. Can you imagine? Today, India is investing more than 125 billion dollars on infrastructure. In India's growth story, for America, for you all, it's an incredible opportunity. For you, it's time to take the first and fast mover advantage. Friends, in the past three days, from President Biden, we've had the opportunity to spend three days together. We've talked a lot about historic issues. In these meetings, we've been talking about the future of India and America. We've decided to move forward to a positive direction. Today, outside of that, Technology Handshake B both the countries' companies, business, manufacturers, innovators, have a direct message. This is the moment. This is the moment. Thank you, friends. Thank you. The government of India and America has done ground work for you. We've done the field work. The important thing in this is that we will continue to do it. But now, on this ground, open up, open up to play. And you are responsible for playing. And the one who will play, will play. I have confidence that nobody will leave a chance. You will take full advantage of this opportunity. And I trust you with this that you will get a better environment in India. You will get a better opportunity. Ease of doing business is the commitment of our government. We are so confident that when India is strong, then the whole world will benefit. In the most difficult time of 100 years, even in this pandemic, we have seen this. When the world needed medicines, India increased its production by 150 to more than 100 countries. And remember that time, when the world was afraid of leaving the house, then the world sent medicines to 150 countries. When the world needed a corona vaccine, India increased its production and sent more than 100 countries to the vaccine. India has a bigger heart. Our commitment is bigger than that of the world's peace. Friends, this is also a sign that the corona vaccine has caused so much harm to the global psychology. Everybody is doubting each other. Every country is thinking that when I need it, which country will support me? That is, the corona has caused so much harm to the body and the mind. And we should not underestimate this. In this era of doubt, India has advanced with its democratic values for thousands of years. It has stood with the world. Friends, India has the biggest solution to another challenge in the coming time. This is the challenge of aging. We cannot deny that aging and aging does not only influence manpower. Rather, it also influences consumption, production and innovation. India is the youngest country in the world. India is the world's biggest talent pool. India is the world's biggest skill and professional force. That is why any country will have the same benefit as India at this time. Friends, how fast India is moving forward? Speed, scale. Every week in India a new university is being built. Every third day in India an adult tinkering lab is being opened. Every two days in India a new college is being built. Every day in India a new ITI is being established. Every year in India a new IIT and a new IIM is being built. The talent from these institutions is working for the benefit of all human beings. In the world's biggest companies Fortune 500 companies India sees us as an important country. And in this hall there are many such talents. I also believe the dream of India the determination of India in the 21st century to change the destiny of the world. In this journey of India to move forward together I once again request you let us come together for a better world better future let us grow with India and I once said for Lal in my language and I said this is the right time this is the right time Thank you very much Ladies and gentlemen please remain in your seats while the Prime Minister and his delegation depart the theatre You can call these pictures a very simple story this is the right time and all the big business leaders have reached the stage and clearly