From Rajesh Rai
San Diego

The chances of India becoming top emerging country of the BRICS grouping are “extremely good” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tech giant Cisco’s Chairman and CEO John Chambers said on Wednesday.

“We made a big bet on India”, which has the possibilities and “may be probability of being the very top emerging BRICS country. And being candid, under the leadership of Mr Modi, I think the probabilities of that happening are extremely good,” said the outgoing CEO.

Chambers said this in a joint press conference with the incoming CEO Chuck Robbins. The two are expected to be in India on June 18 and 19.

The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping of leading emerging economies accounts for more than a quarter of the world’s land mass, 40 per cent of its population and a combined GDP of USD 24 trillion.

Chambers said he and Chuck are very bullish on India.

The Indian Prime Minister has grasped the importance of digitisation, development of smart cities, broadband to every citizen, healthcare, education and job creation to change the lives of the people, he said.

Recalling his statement during the time of the elections in India Chambers said, “My views have not changed at all. If I bet on one emerging market that had to be double down on India and we have doubled down.”

Briefing about his forthcoming visit to India, he said: “We will spend time with key government leaders in India including your top leaders next week… I think your CEOs come together in terms of what Cisco can do with the citizens, with the businesses and with India as a great partner”.

PTI