Invest in India or you may 'miss the bus': Cisco's John Chambers

Mumbai: Betting big on India as an investment spot, Cisco executive chairman John Chambers Sunday suggested businesses not to 'miss the bus' as the country is in sync with the speed of innovation in the current digital age.

"Eighteen months ago, I said if you want to bet on one country, it is India as the country is in sync with the speed of innovation in the current digital age," Chambers said at the CNN Asia Business Forum 2016 organised as part of ongoing Make in India (MII) Week here.

Noting that every company in this world would become technology-based, Chambers said 40 percent of non-tech companies running today will disappear in the next 10 years.

"Anticipating the market and adapting to change in market dynamics, India is moving at a fast pace in the digital era," he said as per CII statement.

Chambers noted that regardless of political divides, Indians have to come together for growth.

"If you still haven't invested in India you may miss the bus," Chambers said.

Yesterday, he had said, "When you think about India the opportunity is very simple to become the manufacturing hub for Asia".

"The ability to do that in auto-motives in which you are making huge progress, to expand that to electronics, to expand that to hi-tech and pharmaceuticals is within our grasp".

He had said that Cisco, a US-based networking company is likely to set up its first manufacturing plant in Pune.

"India will become a country that will leapfrog your counterpart in global basis and India will be a country that no longer follows what others have done but leads in terms of innovation and leadership," Chambers had said.

Speaking at the forum today, GE president and CEO (South Asia) Banmali Agrawala said, "India is a highly innovative place...We're pressing the pedal on getting digital". 

Mahindra Group chairman and managing director Anand Mahindra said that companies are likely to attract more funds if they are carbon neutral besides suggesting the government to put in place necessary mechanism for manufacturing players.

"Make in India is not a mandate but a rallying cry. The government is trying to draw attention of investors. All I say is that you cannot mandate innovation," Mahindra said at the CNN Asia Business Forum 2016.

"All the government needs to do is put in regulation and institutions, and then leave the rest to business," he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by CII.

Speaking of the possible impact of an increase in manufacturing on the environment, Mahindra noted that "more investments are going to flow into companies that are carbon neutral".

Carbon neutrality generally refers to achieving zero carbon emissions.