External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized Odisha’s enormous economic potential and its contribution to India’s global development at the Joint Business Session that was conducted on the sidelines of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

According to a Ministry of External Affairs news release, Jaishankar used the idea of a “double engine” propelling growth in his speech, establishing Odisha as a major contributor to the country’s advancement.

“India will be unique in terms of a major power rising which has actually used, is using, and will continue to use its diaspora as a very important pathway of its globalization and for its rise in the international order,” he said, highlighting the significance of India’s diaspora as a “living bridge” that links India to the rest of the world.

Jaishankar emphasized the “3Ts”—trade, technology, and tourism—as the three pillars of economic growth and urged Odisha to capitalize on its talent, resources, and advantageous position for future progress. Trade, the first of the three Ts, was emphasized as a crucial industry. He pointed out that while Odisha has a wealth of resources, its full potential cannot be realized without infrastructure, connection, and investments.

He said, “Resources need investments, resources need facility, resources need connectivity,” emphasizing the need of enhancing raw materials’ value and making use of Odisha’s strategic position along India’s east coast to boost commerce, particularly with Southeast Asia.

Regarding technology, Jaishankar highlighted Odisha’s burgeoning youth and strong educational system as advantages in creating a tech-driven economy. He emphasized the value of having faith in technology and its connection to talented individuals in the digital age. According to the press release, he added, “Technology is increasingly associated with trusted talent,” and urged Odisha to draw from its own talent pool to promote partnerships in the digital industry.

The third “T”—tourism—was characterized as a transformational industry that has the potential to drive inclusive development and job creation in Odisha. Jaishankar urged tourist investment as a way to support sustainable economic growth, acknowledging the state’s rich natural and cultural assets. He said, “Tourism is the biggest employer generator and multiplier in the world,” adding that tourism-related investments not only boost the economy but also provide local communities with long-term development prospects.

The Modi Government’s dedication to the “Purvodaya” plan, which aims to revitalize Eastern India with Odisha as a focal point, was another topic Jaishankar emphasized. He emphasized that the government is committed to make sensible choices that would facilitate this comeback and guarantee that policy and infrastructure improvements support Odisha’s expansion.

In his closing thoughts, Jaishankar considered the infrastructure, political stability, and ease of doing business as determinants of company investment choices. He emphasized that motivating investor confidence requires strong leadership.

“The leadership of Team Odisha is in front of you today. He ended with a powerful statement of hope for the future of the state: “I am sure that it inspires as much confidence in you as it does in me.”