World leaders and corporate giants recognize India’s growth and PM Modi’s transformative leadership in 2024, hope for a brighter 2025
India’s remarkable ascent on the global stage over the past decade has garnered widespread recognition from world leaders, economists, and corporate giants alike. The year 2024 was particularly significant as India’s growth trajectory, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continued to shine. The country has increasingly been hailed as a growth engine, a technological innovator, and a leader in sustainability.
This recognition from global voices is not new. India’s rapid progress has been lauded for several years. For instance, in 2021, Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar, remarked that every nation should follow India’s proactive approach to tackling climate change. In 2017, Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan, praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, calling him receptive, intelligent, and capable of shaping India’s path. More recently, in 2023, Hassan Allam, CEO of Hassan Allam Holdings, expressed admiration for India’s thriving private sector, particularly in infrastructure, engineering, and manufacturing under Modi’s guidance.
Several high-profile corporate leaders have also recognized India’s role as a global powerhouse. For example, Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motors, noted that the Indian automobile market has grown consistently, with India now standing as the third-largest market globally. Under Modi’s leadership, Suzuki has benefitted from a positive manufacturing environment, further cementing India’s position as a critical player in the global automobile industry.
Borge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, also expressed optimism about India’s economic future, predicting the nation could become a $10 trillion economy within two decades. According to Brende, India’s digital economy and export-driven service sector will be key contributors to this growth. Mastercard’s Ling Hai, President of International Markets, added that India’s demographics, inflation trends, and robust service sector make it an appealing destination for investment and business.
Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, went even further by declaring that the world is entering what he called the “Indian era,” presenting the nation with boundless opportunities. Meanwhile, Thomas Dohmke, CEO of GitHub, reflected on India’s incredible transformation, particularly in urban development and infrastructure, including the development of metro systems and modern airports, which mirror the progress in the country’s tech industry.
JP Morgan’s Jamie Dimon also lauded India’s achievements, emphasizing that the country has opened bank accounts for 700 million people, illustrating the vast progress in financial inclusion and digital infrastructure.
Moreover, other global figures such as George Kapsch, Chairman and CEO of the Kapsch Group, underscored India’s strong economic performance and expressed their readiness to enter the Indian market, citing a shift in attitude towards the country’s increasing attractiveness for international business.
One of India’s standout achievements has been its digital public infrastructure, which has had transformative effects on various sectors. Christopher J. Elias, President of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, pointed out that countries worldwide could benefit from adopting India’s successful digital infrastructure model, particularly in the realms of healthcare and financial services. Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly, went a step further, highlighting that 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty in India through smartphone access and the widespread use of mobile banking, a result of the country’s strong digital ecosystem.
World leaders have also voiced their appreciation for India’s strategic global influence. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Vietnam, acknowledged India’s position as the fifth-largest economy and commended Prime Minister Modi for his leadership. Gita Gopinath, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, echoed similar sentiments, stating that India is on track to become the third-largest economy globally by 2027.
Political leaders, including President Joe Biden of the United States, praised India’s role in shaping the international landscape, with Biden emphasizing the unprecedented strength of the partnership between the United States and India. He expressed his admiration for Modi’s leadership and the ability to explore new areas of cooperation.
In addition, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay described Modi as a guiding light for many developing countries, citing his leadership as a beacon of hope and progress for the global south. Even Russia’s President Vladimir Putin recognized the potential for collaboration with India, noting that India’s “Make in India” initiative aligns with Russia’s objectives to expand its manufacturing base.
The consensus from global leaders and corporate giants is clear: under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has emerged as a key player in the global economy. His ability to shape the country’s image, strengthen international partnerships, and drive innovation in key sectors has helped position India as an economic powerhouse. As India continues to push forward with a focus on sustainability, technology, and inclusive growth, the world is watching closely and remains highly optimistic about the nation’s future.