Current 'challenging time' in India can prove to be 'an opportunity': US business advocacy group

The ongoing 21-day lockdown in India to combat the coronavirus outbreak can be "an opportunity" for the country as the move shows the government's transparency in policymaking, a factor which will attract more foreign investments, according to the head of an India-centric US business advocacy group.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a countrywide lockdown for three weeks, restricting a population of over 1.3 billion indoors, in an effort to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus, which has infected over 870 people, including 19 deaths, in India.

It was the right thing to do, US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) president Mukesh Aghi told PTI.

"Everywhere I'm hearing here (in the US) that it was the right thing to do and it shows (the PM's) the sign of leadership. Hopefully in three-week time, things will get under more control in India," he said.

"However, this challenging time can be changed into an opportunity for India," Aghi said.

India is a "very lucrative market", he said, "Yes, you have this disruption. This is all over the world and India is no exception. In fact, I see it's an opportunity in this crisis for India."