IMEC Will Propel India to Become World's 3rd-Largest Economy: Mansukh Mandaviya
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) will play a pivotal role in positioning India as the world’s third-largest economy, said Union Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. Speaking at an IMEC event in the national capital, he emphasized that the initiative goes beyond trade, fostering cultural exchange and civilizational unity.
Launched in 2023 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, IMEC has significantly elevated global expectations from India, Mandaviya noted. “Our policies and culture show that this corridor will connect not just economies, but also civilizations", he remarked.
Reflecting on India’s historic role in global trade, Mandaviya said that for thousands of years, India has been a hub for international commerce, a legacy that remains strong today. He stressed the importance of India following its own development path rather than replicating foreign models.
Citing India’s Covid-19 response as a prime example, he stated, “At that time, many believed India couldn’t manage the pandemic. But PM Modi stood firm and said, in India, health is not commerce health is service. Service is our culture”. This philosophy, he added, enabled India to create a unique and effective model during the crisis one that could now be applied to projects like IMEC.
“Infrastructure like ports, highways, and railways exist worldwide. But how we use connectivity to bring about cultural and economic change that’s where India offers something different”, he explained.
Mandaviya also highlighted India’s rising prominence in the global workforce. Countries like Israel, he said, are now looking to hire skilled Indian professionals such as plumbers and carpenters. “They need workers, but their qualification standards are different. So, I’ve decided that India should become the best platform for such global opportunities”, he stated.
Dr. Mandaviya’s remarks underline India’s vision of inclusive growth, cultural leadership, and global collaboration through initiatives like IMEC.
