New Delhi, Oct 3: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said he highlighted India’s growing strengths as a global hub for talent, innovation and business services, and the potential for deeper India-US business partnerships.

During his US visit, the minister met several global leaders and CEOs.

“Met Greg Case, CEO of Aon, and discussed the company’s operations in India and the opportunities for further expansion,” Goyal posted on social media platform X.

He also met Paul Grewal, Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer at Cognition, and exchanged views on leveraging Cognition’s pioneering AI solutions and deepening its presence in India.

“Highlighted how India’s rich engineering ecosystem and dynamic startup culture provide a strong launchpad for building and deploying next-generation technologies for the world,” said Goyal.

During an engaging interaction with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) leadership and members from Chicago, Michigan, and Ohio Chapters, the minister discussed the expanding opportunities in the India-US economic partnership and “highlighted how India’s economic momentum, marked by record FDI inflows and strong GDP growth, reflects PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a confident, self-reliant and globally competitive India”.

“Chartered Accountants have a pivotal role in strengthening this partnership by helping businesses navigate cross-border taxation, regulatory compliance and financial governance, while making Indian enterprises investment-ready for global capital,” the minister noted.

Goyal also delivered the keynote address at the USIBC Roundtable in Chicago.

“Discussed venture investment, commercialisation, and corporate partnerships to help Indian and US startups scale across markets. Explored opportunities to deepen India–US innovation linkages and foster the next generation of high-growth enterprises,” Goyal said.

He met Juan Ricardo Luciano, Chair of the Board and CEO of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

They discussed avenues to expand ADM’s presence and investment opportunities in India.

“With our rapidly expanding food processing sector, modernising agricultural value chains, and massive consumer base, India offers tremendous potential for sustainable growth and long-term collaboration,” said Goyal.

New Delhi, Oct 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call, praising his courage, presence of mind and composure during the mid-air incident in which he helped save the lives of passengers and crew members.

The conversation turned emotional as Captain Machchhar became teary-eyed while speaking to the Prime Minister. At one point, the visibly emotional pilot broke down and apologised to PM Modi for losing his composure during the call.

Machchhar told the Prime Minister that he had never imagined he would one day get an opportunity to speak with him.

PM Modi consoled the emotional captain and said, “Why are you crying? The whole country wants to talk to you.”

Referring to Machchhar’s remarks about the Hanuman Chalisa, PM Modi said, “And what you have said about the Hanuman Chalisa, I will thank Geeta Ben for giving you such values.”

“The whole country is here to welcome you with great excitement,” the Prime Minister added.

PM Modi also described Machchhar as a ‘Veer Purush’ and praised his courage during the incident.

During the conversation, Machchhar said he did not consider what happened merely as his work but as a journey.

“I am confident that I will recover soon,” he told the Prime Minister.

PM Modi wished him a speedy recovery and congratulated him for his courage and presence of mind.

“I want to congratulate you, and today is Gandhi Jayanti. I want to say that you have demonstrated what ahimsa (non-violence) means,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also spoke with Machchhar in Gujarati during the interaction.

Machchhar sustained severe injuries during an attack by the Omani co-pilot on a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight on Wednesday. The co-pilot allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft, following which Machchhar fought him off and managed to unlock the cockpit door.

The move allowed crew members and passengers to enter the cockpit and restrain the attacker, averting what could have been a major disaster.

The flight was carrying more than 170 people. Meanwhile, flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel as an investigation into the incident is underway, according to the airline.

Tel Aviv, Oct 2: India Ambassador to Israel JP Singh lauded Captain Smit Machchhar for his “courage and bravery” that averted a major tragedy and saved hundreds of lives aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel.

Singh made the remarks at the India-Israel Festival & National Convention of Indian Jews in Tel Aviv, where he also wished the injured Indian pilot a speedy and complete recovery.

“Heartfelt tribute to the Hero Captain Smit Machchhar! At the India-Israel Festival & National Convention of Indian Jews in Tel Aviv today, Ambassador JP Singh lauded the courage and bravery of Captain Smit Machchhar, who helped save 174 lives aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, bound for Tel Aviv and said that his bravery has made the whole of Israel and the world proud. Ambassador Singh wished Captain Machchhar a speedy and complete recovery,” the Indian Embassy in Israel posted on X on Friday.

The remarks came amid growing international recognition of Captain Machchhar’s role in averting the threat aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday.

During the incident, the co-pilot stabbed Captain Machchhar and the aircraft began to plummet. The Indian fought the assailant bravely and opened the cockpit door, following which passengers rushed to assist, entered the cockpit, and overpowered the attacker.

Once the attacker was subdued, the seriously wounded Indian pilot was stabilised until the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Saluting Captain Machchhar’s valour and courage once again, India on Thursday conveyed its deep appreciation for the admiration and support the brave Indian pilot has received from across the world for his act of gallantry and saving hundreds of lives.

In a statement late Thursday evening, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that it continues to closely follow the health condition of Captain Machchhar.

“After receiving initial medical treatment in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, he has now been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention and recovery. Our Ambassador in UAE met Captain Machchhar in hospital and enquired about his well being,” the MEA stated.

“Earlier, he also met his family and assured all possible support for the Captain’s health and well-being. Our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai are in close touch with the local authorities in the matter. We once again salute Captain Smit Machchhar’s valour and courage. We also convey our deep appreciation for the admiration and support he has received from across the world for his act of gallantry,” the statement added.