Former NITI Aayog CEO and G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, emphasized the need for sustainable urban development, calling cities the “centres of growth and innovation” at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Speaking during a panel discussion on “Destiny or Destination: Culture, Connectivity, and Tourism,” Kant highlighted the immense urbanization challenge India faces, stating that the country must build the equivalent of two Americas in the next five decades.
“It’s important to realise that cities drive growth, innovation, and prosperity. With 500 million Indians expected to urbanize in the coming decades, India must create a new Chicago every five years to keep up,” he said.
Kant also underscored the economic power of cities, citing Mumbai’s GDP as larger than that of 18 Indian states and the GDP of Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida and Greater Noida) as 12 times that of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh’s second-largest city.
Former Maldivian President and current Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Mohamed Nasheed, echoed Kant’s sentiment, stressing that economic prosperity is closely linked to sustainability.
“It’s not just small nations like the Maldives that are affected by climate change; every country is vulnerable. Looking after nature is essential for real prosperity,” Nasheed said.
The discussion also touched on international trade relations. Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless, spoke about the European Union’s strong trade ties with India, especially in light of potential U.S.-EU trade tensions.
“If a trade war starts, I don’t need to drink American bourbon—I have French wine, German beer, Swedish vodka, and my favorite, Indian gin. The EU has trade agreements with 70 countries, making tariff-free trade even better,” Lawless noted.
United Arab Emirates’ Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, highlighted the deep-rooted India-UAE ties, mentioning trade, culture, and the large Indian expatriate community in the UAE.
“Our relationship with India dates back hundreds of years. The rupee was our first currency before the dirham. Indian spices flavored our food, and now, Indians form the largest community in the UAE, contributing to our shared prosperity,” Al Kaabi said.
She also pointed out the UAE’s appeal as a tax haven and its golden visa program, aimed at attracting global talent.
The panel discussion at Raisina Dialogue reinforced the importance of sustainable development, international cooperation, and cultural ties in shaping the future of cities and global economies.
