This year's summit is focused on a theme: Women First, Prosperity for All.

A three-day international summit of entrepreneurs started here on Tuesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hard selling India and inviting investors from across the globe to invest in India taking advantage of a friendly climate while President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka said much remains to be done with regard to equitable laws for women in many developing as well as developed countries.

The event, being co-hosted here by the US and India, is being attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and eco-system supporters from 159 countries.

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Speaking before the prime minister, Ivanka, who is also the US President's Adviser, said: "When it comes to equitable laws, while many developed and developing countries have made tremendous strides, there is still much work to be done."

She said in some countries, women are not allowed to own property, travel freely, or work without the consent of their husbands. In some other countries, the cultural and family pressure is so great that women do not feel the freedom to work outside the home.

"Our administration is striving to promote greater opportunity for women around the world, both through our domestic reforms and our international initiatives," she said.

She also said that when women work, it creates a "multiplier effect", and leads to more reinvestment in families and society.

"When women work, it creates a unique multiplier effect. Women are more likely than men to hire other
women, and to give them access to capital, mentorship and networks. Women are also more likely to reinvest their income back in their families and communities," she said.

She also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his belief that progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women.

"Just consider, if India closes the labour force gender gap by half, your economy could grow by over $150 billion in the next three years," she said.

Noting that this is the first time India has hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, Ivanka said it is a symbol of the strengthened friendship between our two peoples, and the growing economic and security partnership between our two nations.

Complimenting India for being one of the fastest growing economies globally, lifting millions out of poverty and for the progress achieved in science and technology, Trump said: "The people of India inspire us all."

"The people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty. All of you are helping India's middle class reach its goal of becoming 500 million people by 2030."

Stressing on women's achievements in India, Modi said: "In Indian mythology, woman is an incarnation of Shakti - the Goddess of power. We believe women empowerment is vital to our development."

This is the 8th GES which brings together entrepreneurs, investors and eco-system supporters for mentoring, networking and investment matchmaking. This is the first time that the event is being held in South Asia.

The delegates include about 400 each from India and the US and the remaining from the rest of the world.

The US State Department and other American agencies in partnership with NITI Aayog, India's think tank, are organising GES, which seeks to create an environment that empowers innovators, particularly women, to take their ideas to the next level.