The United States Trade Representative Michael Froman today met Urban Development Minister M.Venkaiah Naidu and discussed investment opportunities in urban development sector in India in the context of new initiatives like development of smart cities. Both of them have referred to the high expectations both within and outside India further to Shri Narendra Modi taking over as Prime Minister. Elaborating on smart cities concept, Shri Venkaiah Naidu said that focus will be on enhancing the quality of urban life through improved physical, social and economic infrastructure besides substantially reorienting urban governance in identified cities through e-governance and service delivery. He also informed that basic infrastructure will be ensured in 500 urban habitations.
shri Naidu has said that further to the interest shown by the US in assisting in the development of Visakhapatnam, Ajmer and Allahabad as smart cities, necessary consultations would be expedited to initiate action in this regard. Shri Naidu and Shri Froman referred to the recent successful visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the US and noted that it has created a new mood and momentum in bilateral relations and the same would even be further strengthened during the visit of President Barack Obama to India to attend the Republic Day celebrations in January next year.