Mazumdar believes entrepreneurship is a force for good
The Indian and Chinese Governments should let their businesses to work together by drawing frameworks of operational boundaries and mend current strained relations between the two countries, R. Gopalakrishnan, the former director of Tata Sons said on 12 Sept in Singapore.
“The Governments should set the Lakshman Rekah, (outline or framework) and list what cannot be done,” said the author and corporate advisor at the Singapore launch of his latest book, “Chanakya and Sun Tzu – A Business Lens on Trade, Thought and Travel”.
Business relations, he felt strongly, are the right way to mend relations. “Businesses should play a major role and governments should encourage businesses to play a major role in bringing the two countries together,” he said, noting that India has started allowing certain Chinese investments into the country. “Gradually the restrictions (on Chinese investments) should be minimised, and allow the businesses to prosper.”
Gopalakrishnan highlighted the strong 15,000 Indian student presence in China and a Mumbai academy providing Chinese coaching.
His book draws from India and China’s long-standing traditions as trading civilisations, and explore how commerce, travel and the exchange of ideas have connected people, culture and nations across centuries.
Gopalakrishnan pointed out that both the governments should get their “trading communities” to build businesses and rebuilt the strained relations.
The book launch was co-hosted by Tata Group here, The Indus Enterprise (TiE) and Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society. It was attended by top Indian business community leaders and leading innovators of Indian-origin.
“We believe entrepreneurship is a force for good,” echoed Prantik Mazumdar, President of the TiE Singapore, adding, “We have TIE members and entrepreneurs who are doing businesses in China, in Southeast Asia, across Japan, South Korea.”
“Innovation must reach far and wide, and I really subscribe to Gopalakrishnan’s point that businesses can build bridges, they can solve geopolitical problems,” he said after hosting the book launch.
Mazumdar also pointed out, “Singapore has a fantastic role to continue to build bridges across two of the world’s largest economies – China and India.”
Singapore as an international financial and trading hub has well-knitted business relations with both the countries, said a diplomat at the book launch. “Singapore understands the working culture of both countries and communities.” Fiinews.com
