Obama Tells India its Growth Must Be ‘Inclusive,’ ‘Make People’s Lives Better’

"Finally -- and I know this is something that is of great concern to Prime Minister Modi and it is of great concern to me and the United States -- we need to make sure that economic growth in both our countries is inclusive and sustained. India's astonishing growth in recent decades has lifted countless millions out of poverty and created one of the world's largest middle classes. There is an important lesson in that. Growth cannot just be measured by the aggregate. It can't just be measured by GDP. It can't just be measured by the bottom line on a balance sheet. Growth in the end has to make people's lives better in real, tangible and lasting ways. Prime Minister Modi has laid out an ambitious vision for the future that lifts up India and its people. And I know that the Prime Minister has even taken to sweeping the street himself. And that CEOs are following his lead. (Applause) We might have tried that in the United States.” (Laughter)