News Analysis India

Tag: Narendra Modi

  • PM Narendra Modi to interact with chief ministers on Monday over COVID situation, vaccine roll-out

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers of all states on January 11 to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the vaccination roll-out in the country, his office said on Friday.

    This will be Modi’s first interaction with chief ministers following the recent approval of two coronavirus vaccines for restricted emergency use by India’s drug regulator.

    ALSO READ: India, Sri Lanka looking at post-COVID cooperation: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

    The prime minister has often spoken with state chief ministers following the pandemic’s outbreak in the country.

    India is preparing for the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines and the second nationwide mock drill on the drive was conducted on Friday.

    India’s drugs regulator has approved Oxford vaccine Covishield, being manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country.

  • PM Narendra Modi stated India’s vaccine production capacity will be used for benefit of all humanity: MEA

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Ahead of the COVID-19 vaccines roll-out, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity would be used for the benefit of all humanity in fighting this crisis needs to be noted.

    Asked about the issue of supply of vaccines to neighbouring countries and other nations, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India has been at the forefront of the global response in this common fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    India sees international cooperation in this field, particularly with its neighbours, as its duty, he said at an online media briefing.

    “You would be aware that in our neighbourhood, we have already provided medicines and other essential supplies. We have held training sessions for experts from these countries on vaccine-related issues,” he said.

    “As we roll out vaccines, Prime Minister’s announcement that India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity would be used for the benefit of all humanity in fighting this crisis needs to be noted,” Srivastava said, The remarks came on a day Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan said soon it would be a reality to vaccinate the entire population in the country against COVID-19 after prioritising risk groups.

    The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had on Sunday approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive.

  • Ashok Gehlot urges PM Narendra Modi to restart stalled railway projects involving Rajasthan

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restart Rajasthan’s stalled railway projects on priority. He said around 42 per cent of New Rewari-New Madar section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) crosses Rajasthan on way to Gujarat.

    While speaking on the occasion of digital inauguration of the WDFC by PM Modi, Gehlot thanked him for routing the major part of the WDFC through Rajasthan and expressed the state government’s commitment to the project.

    “It is a big challenge how the Delhi–Mumbai industrial corridor is made and developed along Delhi-Mumbai Freight Corridor,” Gehlot said. On the occasion, Gehlot also said that several railway projects involving Rajasthan were sanctioned and even started but were later stalled due to some reasons.

    He urged the PM to restart wok on them on priority. “We have demanded that a railway station should be made in Bhiwadi town as it has a Japanese investment zone, first of its kind in India, with around 6,521 industrial units,” he said.

    Gehlot said projects such as Sarmathura-Gangapur via Karauli railway line were inaugurated but closed. Similarly, work on Pushkar-Merta road railway line and Chauth ka Barwada to Ajmer via Tonk railway line has been stalled.

    “The state had 50 per cent partnership in the Banswara-Dungarpur-Ratlam project, benefitting the tribal area adjoining Gujarat. The state has given around Rs 250 crore. The work had started but later due to some reasons, it was stopped. I urge the PM to resume work on those projects on priority,” said the CM “But as the state is not in a sound position, the entire expenditure now has to be borne by the railways,” he added.

    He said the Memu coach factory in Bhilwara too was sanctioned and inaugurated but later stopped. “Oil and Gas is there in Jaisalmer and Barmer. Country’s 20 per cent oil is supplied from Barmer. Now, the refinery work has also started. For the last 40 years, there has been a demand for a rail line to connect Mundra-Kandla port with Jaisalmer-Barmer which is justified as per future needs,” said Gehlot.

    Gehlot said though the gauge conversion of Loharu-Sikar-Reengus rail line has been completed, no train is being run on this line.

    Welcoming the PM for giving major part of the WDFC to Rajasthan, the CM said the state is committed for the project. It is a big challenge how the Delhi–Mumbai industrial corridor be made and developed along Delhi-Mumbai Freight Corridor, Gehlot said.

  • Narendra Modi government has lost trust of entire farming community: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: A day before the government’s eighth round of talks with protesting farm unions, SAD leader and former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the Centre has lost the trust of the entire farming community and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should directly talk to agitating farmers.

    Expressing her anguish over the pain of farmers, Badal, leader of the ruling BJP’s erstwhile ally, said, “It is strange that farmers are spending nights in open during the chilling winters and even then their demands are falling on deaf ears.”

    In an interview to PTI, Badal who resigned from Union Cabinet in September last year when the three farm bills were being passed in Lok Sabha, said what farmers have gone through in last six-seven weeks, is the same what she went through when she was a Union Minister.

    ALSO READ: Agri laws: Wisconsin Speaker supports farmers’ protests; writes to Indian, US envoys

    “…To avoid the situation which has arisen now and the protest, I kept pleading for months, whether it was in cabinet meetings or in direct meetings with top leaders of the central government that please listen to farmers before bringing these three bills as they are ‘annadaatas’ of the country, otherwise it would lead to agitations and protests. But my all pleas fell on to deaf ears,” she said.

    Asking who will be held responsible for deaths of farmers during the protest, Badal said the Centre has lost the trust of farmers across the country.

    “Farmers are dying at the doorstep of the central government while protesting for their demands. Who will be responsible for deaths of ‘annadaatas’ of the country?” Badal said.

    ALSO READ: SC to hear pleas against new agri laws, all issues related to farmers protest on January 11

    Talking about the ongoing meetings between protesting farmers and Centre, Badal said after seven rounds of meetings nothing concrete has come out.

    “After several rounds of meetings if ministers are unable to resolve the farmers’ issues then Prime Minister Narendra Modi should directly talk to protesting farmers,” Badal said.

    She also attacked the Congress-led Punjab government and state chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and said he has failed to fulfill his responsibility as guardian of the state and its people.

    ALSO READ: Undeterred by cold weather, rains, protesting farmers warn to intensify stir further

    “Both the central and state governments are equal partners in this crime against farmers. While farmers were sitting on dharna, the Chief Minister of Punjab was having fun in his farmhouse. Captain Amarinder Singh has miserably failed to fulfil his responsibilities as chief minister of Punjab and as guardian of its people,” Badal said.

    Harsimrat Kaur Badal was Union Food Processing Minister in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and resigned when the bills were taken up for passage in Lok Sabha.

    Her husband and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal had announced her resignation in the lower house while participating in the debate on the three farm bills.

    Days later, SAD also moved out of the ruling NDA breaking its decades-old alliance with the BJP.

  • PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate PBD Convention; Suriname President to be chief guest at event

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention to be held in virtual format on January 9, while Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi will be the chief guest and deliver the keynote address, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

    The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs and provides an important platform to engage and connect with the overseas Indians, the MEA said in a statement.

    “In view of the sentiments of our vibrant diaspora community, the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organised on January 9, 2021, despite the ongoing COVID pandemic. The Convention will be held in virtual format, as were the PBD Conferences held recently in the run-up to the Convention,” it said.

    The theme of 16th PBD Convention 2021 is “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.

    The PBD Convention will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi and will feature a keynote address by the chief guest, the Suriname President.

    The winners of the online ‘Bharat ko Janiye Quiz’ for the youth will also be announced.

    The Inaugural session will be followed by the two plenary sessions.

    The first plenary on ‘Role of Diaspora in Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ will feature addresses by the External Affairs Minister and the Commerce and Industry Minister, while the second plenary on ‘Facing Post Covid Challenges – Scenario in Health, Economy, Social and International Relations’ will be addressed by the Minister of Health and the Minister of State for External Affairs.

    Both plenaries will feature panel discussions inviting eminent diaspora experts.

    The finale would be the Valedictory Session where President Ram Nath Kovind will deliver his Valedictory address to mark the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

    The names of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees for 2020-21 will also be announced.

    Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are conferred to select Indian diaspora members to recognise their achievements and honour their contributions to various fields, both in India and abroad.

    The Youth PBD will also be celebrated virtually on the theme ‘Bringing together Young Achievers from India and Indian Diaspora’ on January 8, 2021, and will be anchored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

  • US Capitol riots: Democratic process can’t be subverted through unlawful protests, says PM Modi

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Condemning the violent situation that unfolded at the US Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests and called for an orderly and peaceful transfer of power.

    ALSO READ | World leaders condemn violence at US Capitol

    “Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests,” he tweeted.

    Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests.
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 7, 2021

    A chaotic scene unfolded at the Capitol as supporters of President Trump swarmed the building to protest the Electoral College vote, forcing a lockdown and various confrontations with police.

    ALSO READ: Twitter, Instagram block Trump; Facebook, YouTube remove US President’s video

    US President Donald Trump’s supporters, who marched at the Capitol, reiterated his claims that the recently-concluded presidential election was ‘stolen’, and demanded their ‘voices to be heard’.

    Several police officers sustained injuries, while one woman was confirmed dead after being shot in the chest.

    ALSO READ | US Capitol violence in 10 pictures: When pro-Trump mob stormed the building to overturn election

    The protesters managed to overpower the law enforcement officers and swarmed the House and Senate chambers, leading to the evacuation of several Congressional buildings.

    Several lawmakers slammed Trump for inciting violence, with some calling for his immediate impeachment and removal.

  • Modi quick learner of foreign policy nuances: Pranab Mukherjee in last book

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: In his recently-released autobiography, Pranab Mukherjee has termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unscheduled stopover in Lahore in 2015 to meet the then Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif as “unnecessary and uncalled for”, but at the same time the former President has praised Modi for being quick in picking up the nuances of foreign policy.

    “I personally feel that PM Modi’s stopover in Lahore was unnecessary and uncalled for, given the conditions that prevailed in India-Pakistan relations,” he wrote. The fourth edition of The Presidential Years: 2012-2017 was released on Tuesday after its final draft was approved by Mukherjee before his death in August 2020.

    The former president also disapproved of Modi playing up his personal friendship with global leaders. “I totally oppose the expressions of personal friendships (Abe called Modi his most dependable friend), because friendships are between countries. I do not subscribe to the belief that such special friendships have any worth when it comes to international relationships, where every relationship is impersonal,” Mukherjee said in the book.

    ALSO READ | Even primary objectives of PM Modi’s demonetisation never met: Pranab Mukherjee in last book

    Elaborating the point, he says his friendship with Bangladesh was completely political but his ties with PM Sheikh Hasina during her time in exile were personal. “Personally, I believe that PM Modi plays up personal equations too much. To take such relationships as true is a bit absurd,” he wrote. However, he heaped praise on Modi for being quick to understand the nuances of foreign policy despite “absolutely no experience” in foreign affairs. “Foreign policy was a truly unchartered territory for him.

    But he did what no PM had attempted before: invite the heads of State of SAARC nations to his oath-taking ceremony. His out-of-the-box initiative took many foreign policy veterans by surprise. I felt that the gesture of inviting the neighbouring countries was a good one and that if we could keep up this momentum, we could have vastly improved ties with our neighbours,” the former president wrote.On ties with Pakistan, Mukherjee said the main difficulty was the negative thoughts that Islamabad continues to harbour against India. 

    The former president also said he wouldn’t refer to Pakistan as an enemy country. “No country is an enemy unless we are at war with it.” Mukherjee has also said that it’s the responsibility of both India and China to ensure that a Doklam-like situation is not created. 

  • Cancellation of UK PM Boris Johnson’s visit our victory, Modi government’s ‘defeat’: Farmer unions

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Farmer unions protesting against the three new agri laws Wednesday claimed the cancellation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to India later this month was a “political win” for them and a “diplomatic defeat” for the government, and asserted their agitation has been receiving global support.

    Johnson was scheduled to attend the Republic Day celebrations in India as Chief Guest, but the visit had to be cancelled due to the growing health crisis in the UK after a new variant of coronavirus emerged there.

    “The cancellation of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s India visit is a political win for farmers and a diplomatic defeat for the Modi government…political and social organisations across the world have been supporting the agitation,” Sankyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of the protesting farmer unions, said in a statement in Hindi.

    The statement said the farmers have already announced a tractor protest march on January 26 and a “rehearsal” for it on January 7.

    ALSO READ: Agri laws: Wisconsin Speaker supports farmers’ protests; writes to Indian, US envoys

    “The cancellation of the UK prime minister’s visit because of all these efforts is surely a big victory for farmers,” the statement said.

    According to a release issued by the Prime Minister’s office here on Tuesday, PM Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Johnson.

    “Prime Minister Johnson reiterated his thanks for India’s invitation for him as the Chief Guest of the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations, but regretted his inability to attend in view of the changed COVID-19 context prevailing in the UK. He reiterated his keenness to visit India in the near future,” it had stated.

    The protesting farm unions have claimed that around 80 farmers have died –they have called them “martyrs” — since their agitation began.

    ALSO READ: SC to hear pleas against new agri laws, all issues related to farmers protest on January 11

    “Farmers’ movement is now becoming people’s movement,” the Morcha statement said.

    Meanwhile, All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, one of the 40 protesting unions, alleged in statement that the Central government is “non-serious” on the demands of peasants.

    “The Central government is non-serious about talks and solving farmers’ problems. In the 7th round of talks, it finally stated clearly that it has understood that the demand is for repeal and that it will have to undertake ‘further consultation’,” AIKSCC claimed.

    The seventh round of talks between the protesting unions and three Central ministers ended inconclusively on Monday as farmer groups stuck to their demand for the repeal of three laws, while the government listed out various benefits of the new Acts for the growth of the country’s agriculture sector.

    ALSO READ: Undeterred by cold weather, rains, protesting farmers warn to intensify stir further

    Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had said he remains hopeful of a solution in the next meeting on January 8, but asserted that efforts need to be made from both sides for a resolution to be reached (taali dono haathon se bajti hai).

    While several opposition parties and people from other walks of life have come out in support of the farmers, some farmer groups have also met the agriculture minister over the last few weeks to extend their support to the three laws.

    Last month, the government had sent a draft proposal to the protesting farmer unions, suggesting seven-eight amendments to the new laws and a written assurance on the MSP procurement system.

    The government has ruled out a repeal of the three agri laws.

  • Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel ​hold video-teleconference; PM briefs on COVID vaccine development

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video-teleconference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday and briefed her on COVID-19 vaccine development in India, while also assuring her of the country’s commitment to deploy its capacities for the benefit of the world.

    “As we celebrate 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relationship and 20th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership with Germany this year, Chancellor Merkel and I had a fruitful video call today,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

    He also thanked Merkel for her longstanding personal commitment to deepening India-Germany ties.

    ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu to hold second COVID-19 vaccination dry run on Friday, this time in all districts

    “We also exchanged views on other regional and global issues, including COVID-19 pandemic,” Modi tweeted.

    A Prime Minister’s Office statement said Modi appreciated the long-standing role of Chancellor Merkel in providing stable and strong leadership at the European and global stage, and thanked her for guiding the growth of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.

    ALSO READ: Odisha reports zero new COVID-19 deaths for first time in more than six months

    The two leaders discussed key issues of mutual importance including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral ties, regional and global issues, particularly India-EU relations, the PMO said.

    The prime minister briefed Chancellor Merkel on the developments in India with regard to vaccine development and assured the chancellor of India’s commitment to deploy its capacities for the benefit of the world, the statement said.

    ALSO READ: India, Sri Lanka looking at post-COVID cooperation: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

    “He conveyed his best wishes for early containment of the new wave of infections in Germany and other European countries,” it said.

    Prime Minister Modi also welcomed Germany’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation with Germany under the platform of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

    ALSO READ: European Union’s medicines agency ponders approval for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine

    Noting that this year marks the 70th anniversary of setting up of bilateral relations between India and Germany and 20th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership, the two leaders agreed to hold the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) at an early date in 2021 and to set an ambitious agenda for the same, the statement said.

  • Narendra Modi government to hold national ‘cow science’ exam on February 25

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA), the government body set up for cow welfare has announced that it will hold a countrywide online examination on ‘gau vigyan’ (cow science) on February 25. There will be no fee for the examination.

    Announcing the first-ever exam of this kind–‘Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Examination’-RKA Chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria said this exam will be held annually.

    “We are starting ‘Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Examination’ at the national level from February 25, 2021. Cow is full of science that needs to be explored. It plays an important role in 5 trillion economies of the country,” he said during a press conference.

    The exam will be held in 12 regional languages apart from Hindi and English.

    “Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Exam will be an online exam with 100 multi-choice questions in Hindi, English and 12 regional languages. The duration will be one hour and there will be 4 categories,” he said.

    According to an official release of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under which RKA functions, the exam will be conducted in four categories –Primary level up to 8th standard, Secondary level from class 9th to class 12th, College level after 12th+ and fourth category will be for the general public.

    The Ministry has said that there will be no fee for the examination and the syllabus as well as other literature and reference books on cows, which will be recommended on the website of the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog, will help the examinees prepare for the exam.

    “Blogs, videos and other selected reading material will be uploaded on official website. Scientists, entrepreneurs, Gau Sevaks, farmers, youth and women as well as senior citizens will actively work to make this mega event a grand success,” the Ministry said.

    According to the Ministry, the examination will be conducted in a transparent and impartial manner.

    “Questions will be set in such a way that during the online exam there will be no scope for any maneuvering. Results will be immediately declared on the website of RKA. Certificates will be given to all. Successful meritorious candidates will be given prizes and certificates afterward. Appreciation letters will be issued to all those who help in organizing this exam,” it said.

    RKA comes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It was set up by the Centre in February 2019, and is aimed at “conservation, protection and development of cows and their progeny”.