
Hyderabad played host to Ivanka Trump and a galaxy of global business leaders as India held its first Global Entrepreneurship Summit on Tuesday.
Addressing the inaugural session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Indian entrepreneurs and the work done by them. "You are vehicles to change; each one of you can do something substantial to transform the country. Each of you young Indian entrepreneurs has the ability to create a New India by 2022,” the PM said.
He also invited global entrepreneurs to set up their shops in India."Come Make in India. We extend our support,” the PM said.
Speaking at the summit, Ivanka Trump hailed PM Modi and his leadership by saying that "your rise from a tea seller to the PM of India shows that transformational change is possible".
"India is truly an inspiration to all of us all over the world. Through innovative talent and entrepreneurial ability, you have made remarkable strides. Through your own enterprise, entrepreneurship, and hard work, the people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty - a remarkable improvement, and one I know, will continue to grow under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,”Ivanka said while addressing the delegates at the summit.
She also lauded Indian entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs. "I especially want to congratulate women entrepreneurs here. We must ensure that women entrepreneurs have access to capital, networks, resources and equitable laws. Only when women are empowered to thrive, will our families, our economies, and our societies reach their fullest potential," Ivanka said.
'Women First, Prosperity for All’ is the theme of this year’s GES anda number of leading female voices will speak at various plenaries, breakout sessions, master classes, and workshops, including tennis champion Sania Mirza, Google's Vice President of Next Billion Users Diana Louise Patricia Layfield and CEO of Afghan Citadel Software Company Roya Mahboob.
Ivanka, who is also a fashion designer and a businesswoman, was invited by Modi during his visit to the White House in June to speak at the summit.
As political and economic ties expand, India has become a major market for the United States, with two-way trade of about $115 billion last year. Military and strategic ties are also improving as China's influence rises in Asia and beyond.
The organisers of the summit say it will be attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs and investors from 150 countries.