In a bid to bring about greater reforms in the qualitative nature of the Indo-American relations, minister of science and technology Kapil Sibal has said that they are going to sign a partnership agreement with PepsiCo and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in R&D in food sector to bring changes in the nutrition levels of India. He also said, ?The growth rate in agriculture is not just about increasing the flow of investments and at policy making level we need changes?.
He added, ?We expect support from the US and it should realise that India is not just a big democracy with market opportunities but much more than that?. Chairman and CEO, Pepsico Inc Indra K Nooyi said, ?India should remain extremely positive about US and together we will share a good rapport. Leadership in both countries must move forward on executing agreements to enable and facilitate high technology collaboration. It is only reasonable that as partners when high technology is exchanged, opportunities exist to ensure that technology is being utilised for the purposes specified and that sensitive intellectual property rights (IPR) is not falling in to the wrong hands?. She also said, ?My point across all these technologies is simple?we need our companies to engage one another and to share these technologies?in partnership.? On fostering inclusive growth, Nooyi said that infrastructure development and scientific collaboration are the right priorities for the US-India Business Council. Though, obvious, it is worth pointing out that infrastructure and technology have a direct effect on inclusive growth via the transformative impact on agriculture reform.
Nooyi added that in a country where 68% of the population lives in rural areas and where approximately one-third of people are farmers, it is clear that there can be no inclusive growth without serious agrarian reform. She added, ?I believe agrarian reform starts with what is commonly called a second green revolution. This starts on the farm itself. We need to improve the quality of water and its availability and access.?
