At the Global Leadership Summit, John T. Chambers, Former Executive Chairman of Cisco, shared his views on the potential impact of the new Trump administration on global growth, especially amid the current economic environment. He pointed to the strong response of the US stock market to the election results, highlighting Trump’s focus on economic issues, immigration, and crime.
Chambers also emphasised the solid friendship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, noting their excellent communication and alignment.
With key figures like Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz strengthening the US-India relationship, Chambers predicted that the two nations will lead in artificial intelligence, boost job creation, and drive economic growth through their combined efforts.
He emphasised that the collaboration between the US and India would position both nations as leaders in artificial intelligence.
This is the verbatim transcript of the interview.
Q: What’s your view on India from a foreign investors lens? I know you have been a long-term perpetual India bull. How high is the confidence today?
The confidence today is higher than ever and you knew that was going to be my answer. India will become the number one economy in the world. I think we were the first ones to predict that, several years ago, it would be the fastest-growing economy in the world and the increase in the standard of living for all 1.4 billion people, the confidence in dealing with the world’s largest democracy, candidly, with the second-largest democracy in the US, has never been stronger.
The startup mentality and the infrastructure build-outs instill confidence, and currently, with the election of President Trump and the key appointments as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor are very, very strong allies of India. The confidence is greater than it has ever been.
Q: What the Trump regime could mean for global growth, which is already fairly fragile at this point in time, and what are the expectations from this new department of efficiency with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy at the helm?
A: First of all, you watched the US stock market in response to the election; it responded very well. President Trump focused on the economy, immigration issues and crime, and he won in areas that the Republicans have traditionally not carried, including the average working American. It was probably the broadest win I have seen in quite a while by any leader on either side. President Trump and Prime Minister Modi are great friends. They get along extremely well, and their communication is great. And with Marco Rubio, you will see him match up perfectly with Jaishankar in terms of the focus from foreign affairs leader and from the Secretary of State.
In terms of national security advisor, most of you know Mike Waltz is very, very pro-US and India relationships; he comes regularly to the country there, so I think the combination of the two is going to drive the US and the economies faster gathered than before.
I think we will set the pace between our two countries for our countries to lead on AI. I think our startup community and our ability to increase our standard of living and drive our stock markets, as well as job creation, are going to be very good under this new combination.
Read Here | India poised to lead global economy and revolutionise AI, says ex-Cisco exec John Chambers
Q: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy?
A: I like them; we have real-character leaders of our high tech and our high business, you probably find me boring in comparison, but it is exciting, and they do keep us on our toes. But it does speak to the strength of a democracy where you have people that can speak out and speak out with enthusiasm and belief, and both of those individuals are huge believers in the future of India and the relationship between our countries.
If you look at it across America, regardless of political party, the confidence in India and the love for your country, has never been stronger. But it’s also a win-win economically, where we can generate probably 1% more GDP growth in the US from a tight partnership over this decade per year, and India can probably generate two more points of GDP growth because of the partnership. I think this will be not only India’s decade and India century. I think it will be India and the US together on everything from artificial intelligence to defense to job creation and the model for other countries in terms of how countries that are great democracies work together and innovate together.
For full interview, watch accompanying video
Also Read | ‘The best time for beauty is yet to come,’ says Nykaa’s Falguni Nayar