Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in the US and met leaders including President Joe Biden, an event that according to Mr Goyal, "clearly shows the respect India is getting from the US and other nations". "The world is looking at India the way its leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged. They are all looking up to India to contribute in a big way for a safe and secure in Asia Pacific region," Mr Goyal told NDTV in San Francisco. "My meetings here all show clearly the excitement about working with in India and the expectations are large from the India story," said the Union Minister. India is not part of the 21-member APEC; however, Mr Goyal said the invite to India to attend the meet indicates "clearly the respect India is getting from the US and other nations." He said India has not decided yet on whether to apply for joining the APEC. India had made a request to join the grouping in 1991. While a majority of members were in favour of India's inclusion, some opposed it, citing the country's record on economic reforms and claiming that it has "protectionist instincts".
