New Delhi, Dec 19 (KNN) Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister for External Affairs, said that since many of the flagship programmes of the Government can be significantly strengthened through international collaboration, much of the diplomacy focus has shifted to its economic dimensions, especially in facilitating business interactions.
 
While addressing at the FICCI’s 88th Annual General Meeting, Swaraj said that “Spreading the message of ‘easier to do business’ is one of our major goals, so is the involvement of CEOs in this effort. The results are already beginning to make themselves felt.”
 
She said that the shift from ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East’ is also intended to underline the issues of connectivity; trade and security are being addressed more purposefully today.
 
Swaraj said that there has been a marked increase in FDI commitments in the last year, estimated at 40% more than the previous year. The ‘Make in India’ programme has started to gain increasing traction, the latest vote of confidence coming in the 12 billion dollars commitment made by Japan during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit.
 
“What you are all seeing today is India’s diplomatic skills at work in the service of the economy and society: delivering more jobs, ensuring better skills and accessing modern technology, she said.
 
“Our views on key international issues – be it on trade, climate change, terrorism or maritime security - are also being given greater consideration,” she pointed out.
 
“The overall image of India that we have managed to project, even in a short while, is of a country that is serious about meeting its commitments and responsibilities,” she added. (KNN Bureau)