Stressing on 'One Earth, One Health' vision of collaborative approach in dealing with Covid virus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is ready to produce over 5 billion coronavirus vaccine doses by the end of next year to help the world in the fight against the pandemic.

Speaking in his intervention at the session on “global economy and global health” at G20 Summit session in Rome on Saturday, Modi also flagged the issue of facilitating international travel and talked about the mechanism of mutual recognition of vaccine certification as a means of achieving this, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, briefing reporters on PM’s engagements.

PM Modi invited G20 countries to make India their partner in economic recovery and supply chain diversification. He also brought out the fact that despite challenges posed by the pandemic, India continued to be a trusted partner in the context of reliable supply chains, Shringla said.

Noting that the WHO approval for the emergency use authorisation for India's indigenous vaccine, Covaxin,&nbsp;is pending, Modi suggested that a nod for the jab will help India assist other countries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-interacts-with-french-president-macron-on-the-sidelines-of-g20-425323">PM Modi interacts with French President Macron on the sidelines of G20</a>

A technical advisory group of the UN health agency will meet on November 3 to conduct a final "risk-benefit assessment" for Emergency Use Listing of Covaxin. Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and AstraZeneca and Oxford University's Covishield are the two widely used vaccines in India.

Shringla said that Prime Minister Modi expressed satisfaction over the G20’s decision to come up with a 15 per minimum corporate tax to make the global financial architecture more “just and fair”.

The decision is aimed at ensuring that companies pay a certain amount of tax in the countries they are located in.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-summit-kicks-off-in-rome-with-focus-on-climate-covid-and-economy-425330">Also read |&nbsp;G20 Summit kicks off in Rome with focus on climate, COVID and economy</a>

“It is pertinent to mention that it was in 2014 that the prime minister had first proposed the idea of a minimum corporate tax in order to prevent to some extent evasion of taxes,” he said.

Shringla said that Pope Francis accepted PM Modi's invitation to visit India.

Speaking of the Vatican visit, Shringla said, “The last papal visit to India was in 1999 when Pope John Paul II visited the country. Pope Francis has accepted PM Modi's invitation. In his own words, he said: “You (PM Modi) have given me the greatest gift. I am looking forward to visiting India". Pope Francis has accepted the PM Modi invitation and looking forward to visit India.”

Also read |&nbsp; <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-leaders-agree-on-historic-corporate-tax-deal-425387">G20 leaders agree on historic corporate tax deal</a>

The meeting between PM Modi and Pope Francis which was scheduled for 20 minutes, lasted for around an hour.

Apart from Pope Francis, PM Modi on Saturday also invited French President Emmanuel Macron to visit India, Shringla said.

On the second day of the summit on Sunday, PM Modi is scheduled attend an event hosted by US President Joe Biden in Rome. Other bilateral meetings are scheduled as well.&nbsp;

Modi will attend an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on “Supply China Resilience” and hold other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome, said Shringla.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Stressing on 'One Earth, One Health' vision of collaborative approach in dealing with Covid virus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is ready to produce over 5 billion coronavirus vaccine doses by the end of next year to help the world in the fight against the pandemic.

Stressing on 'One Earth, One Health' vision of collaborative approach in dealing with Covid virus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is ready to produce over 5 billion coronavirus vaccine doses by the end of next year to help the world in the fight against the pandemic. Speaking in his intervention at the session on “global economy and global health” at G20 Summit session in Rome on Saturday, Modi also flagged the issue of facilitating international travel and talked about the mechanism of mutual recognition of vaccine certification as a means of achieving this, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, briefing reporters on PM’s engagements. PM Modi invited G20 countries to make India their partner in economic recovery and supply chain diversification. He also brought out the fact that despite challenges posed by the pandemic, India continued to be a trusted partner in the context of reliable supply chains, Shringla said. Noting that the WHO approval for the emergency use authorisation for India's indigenous vaccine, Covaxin, is pending, Modi suggested that a nod for the jab will help India assist other countries. Also read | PM Modi interacts with French President Macron on the sidelines of G20 A technical advisory group of the UN health agency will meet on November 3 to conduct a final "risk-benefit assessment" for Emergency Use Listing of Covaxin. Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and AstraZeneca and Oxford University's Covishield are the two widely used vaccines in India. Shringla said that Prime Minister Modi expressed satisfaction over the G20’s decision to come up with a 15 per minimum corporate tax to make the global financial architecture more “just and fair”. The decision is aimed at ensuring that companies pay a certain amount of tax in the countries they are located in. Also read | G20 Summit kicks off in Rome with focus on climate, COVID and economy “It is pertinent to mention that it was in 2014 that the prime minister had first proposed the idea of a minimum corporate tax in order to prevent to some extent evasion of taxes,” he said. Shringla said that Pope Francis accepted PM Modi's invitation to visit India. Speaking of the Vatican visit, Shringla said, “The last papal visit to India was in 1999 when Pope John Paul II visited the country. Pope Francis has accepted PM Modi's invitation. In his own words, he said: “You (PM Modi) have given me the greatest gift. I am looking forward to visiting India". Pope Francis has accepted the PM Modi invitation and looking forward to visit India.” Also read | G20 leaders agree on historic corporate tax deal The meeting between PM Modi and Pope Francis which was scheduled for 20 minutes, lasted for around an hour. Apart from Pope Francis, PM Modi on Saturday also invited French President Emmanuel Macron to visit India, Shringla said. On the second day of the summit on Sunday, PM Modi is scheduled attend an event hosted by US President Joe Biden in Rome. Other bilateral meetings are scheduled as well. Modi will attend an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on “Supply China Resilience” and hold other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome, said Shringla. (With inputs from agencies)

At Rome, Modi pitches ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision, says ready to produce 5 billion Covid vaccines

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on “Supply Chain Resilience” on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome on Sunday, officials have said.

Briefing press on Modi’s schedule on Sunday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, “PM Modi will attend an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on ‘Supply Chain&nbsp;Resilience’ and hold other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome.”&nbsp;

PM Modi invited G20 countries to make India their partner in economic recovery and supply chain diversification. He also brought out the fact that despite challenges posed by the pandemic, India continued to be a trusted partner in the context of reliable supply chains, Shringla said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-leaders-agree-on-historic-corporate-tax-deal-425387">G20 leaders agree on historic corporate tax deal</a>

"The PM also brought out the fact that despite challenges of the pandemic, India continued to be a trusted partner in the context of reliable supply chains," Shringla told the special briefing in Rome on Saturday.

The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) was launched by India, Japan and Australia, in April, will help in promoting trade facilitation by identifying supply chain risks and mapping out the complementarities.

The SCRI, first&nbsp;proposed by Japan, aims to reduce dependence on China&nbsp;amid a likelihood of rechurning of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Sunday, the prime minister is also expected to have a meeting with Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the G20 Summit apart from participating in discussions on “Climate Change and Environment and Sustainable Development”.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-rome-modi-pitches-one-earth-one-health-vision-says-ready-to-produce-5-billion-covid-vaccines-425443">&nbsp;At Rome, Modi pitches ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision, says ready to produce 5 billion Covid vaccines</a>

Apart from the ‘Supply Chain Resilience’ event, a hectic schedule is lined up for PM Modi on Sunday.

He will begin the day in Rome by visiting the historical centre - the Trevi Fountain. The historical Trevi Fountain has drawn many filmmakers to it who have popularised the Baroque art-styled monument as the epitome of a place of romance.

Watch

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Later in the day, Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and also meet outgoing Chancellor of Germany Angela Markel.

The PM is also slated to attend a session to discuss Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under Agenda 2030 that has its own set of 17 targets and 244 indicators&nbsp;to provide&nbsp;a worldwide accepted framework of development.

Following that, PM Modi will also be travelling to Glasgow in the United Kingdom from November 1-2 at the invitation of his British counterpart Boris Johnson.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on “Supply Chain Resilience” on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome on Sunday, officials have said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on “Supply Chain Resilience” on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome on Sunday, officials have said. Briefing press on Modi’s schedule on Sunday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, “PM Modi will attend an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on ‘Supply Chain Resilience’ and hold other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome.” PM Modi invited G20 countries to make India their partner in economic recovery and supply chain diversification. He also brought out the fact that despite challenges posed by the pandemic, India continued to be a trusted partner in the context of reliable supply chains, Shringla said. Also read | G20 leaders agree on historic corporate tax deal "The PM also brought out the fact that despite challenges of the pandemic, India continued to be a trusted partner in the context of reliable supply chains," Shringla told the special briefing in Rome on Saturday. The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) was launched by India, Japan and Australia, in April, will help in promoting trade facilitation by identifying supply chain risks and mapping out the complementarities. The SCRI, first proposed by Japan, aims to reduce dependence on China amid a likelihood of rechurning of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On Sunday, the prime minister is also expected to have a meeting with Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the G20 Summit apart from participating in discussions on “Climate Change and Environment and Sustainable Development”. Also read | At Rome, Modi pitches ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision, says ready to produce 5 billion Covid vaccines Apart from the ‘Supply Chain Resilience’ event, a hectic schedule is lined up for PM Modi on Sunday. He will begin the day in Rome by visiting the historical centre - the Trevi Fountain. The historical Trevi Fountain has drawn many filmmakers to it who have popularised the Baroque art-styled monument as the epitome of a place of romance. Watch Later in the day, Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and also meet outgoing Chancellor of Germany Angela Markel. The PM is also slated to attend a session to discuss Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under Agenda 2030 that has its own set of 17 targets and 244 indicators to provide a worldwide accepted framework of development. Following that, PM Modi will also be travelling to Glasgow in the United Kingdom from November 1-2 at the invitation of his British counterpart Boris Johnson. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi to attend ‘Supply Chain Resilience’ event hosted by US President Joe Biden in Rome

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the 16th East Asia Summit on Wednesday, Prime Minister's Office said in a press release.

As per the official release, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to attend the 18th ASEAN-India Summit on Thursday.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-visit-italy-for-g20-later-this-month-418849">&nbsp;PM Modi to visit Italy for G20 later this month</a>

The East Asia Summit is the premier leaders-led forum in the Indo-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in the strategic and geopolitical evolution of East Asia.

Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia, the release added.

India, being a founding member of the East Asia Summit, is committed to strengthening the East Asia Summit and making it more effective for dealing with contemporary challenges, the release read.

On Thursday, PM Modi will review the status of the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership at the 18th ASEAN-India Summit.

He is participating in the summit at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei.

Prime Minister will take stock of progress made in key areas including COVID-19, health, trade and commerce, connectivity, and education and culture. Important regional and international developments including post-pandemic economic recovery will also be discussed.

ASEAN-India summits are held annually and provide the opportunity for India and ASEAN to engage at the highest level.

PM Modi attended the 17th ASEAN-India Summit held virtually in November last year. The latest edition will be the ninth ASEAN-India Summit to be attended by him.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-asean-virtual-summit-with-eye-on-china-joe-biden-reiterates-need-for-free-indo-pacific-424227">US-ASEAN virtual summit: With eye on China, Joe Biden reiterates need for free Indo-Pacific</a>

ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical and civilizational ties. ASEAN is central to our Act East Policy and our wider vision of the Indo-Pacific. The year 2022 will mark 30 years of ASEAN-India relations.

India and ASEAN have several dialogue mechanisms which meet regularly, including a Summit, Ministerial meetings and Senior Officials&nbsp;meetings. External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar attended the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers&nbsp;Meeting and EAS Foreign Ministers&nbsp;Meeting in August 2021 virtually.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the 16th East Asia Summit on Wednesday, Prime Minister's Office said in a press release. As per the official release, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to attend the 18th ASEAN-India Summit on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the 16th East Asia Summit on Wednesday, Prime Minister's Office said in a press release. As per the official release, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to attend the 18th ASEAN-India Summit on Thursday. Also Read | PM Modi to visit Italy for G20 later this month The East Asia Summit is the premier leaders-led forum in the Indo-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in the strategic and geopolitical evolution of East Asia. Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia, the release added. India, being a founding member of the East Asia Summit, is committed to strengthening the East Asia Summit and making it more effective for dealing with contemporary challenges, the release read. On Thursday, PM Modi will review the status of the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership at the 18th ASEAN-India Summit. He is participating in the summit at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei. Prime Minister will take stock of progress made in key areas including COVID-19, health, trade and commerce, connectivity, and education and culture. Important regional and international developments including post-pandemic economic recovery will also be discussed. ASEAN-India summits are held annually and provide the opportunity for India and ASEAN to engage at the highest level. PM Modi attended the 17th ASEAN-India Summit held virtually in November last year. The latest edition will be the ninth ASEAN-India Summit to be attended by him. Also Read | US-ASEAN virtual summit: With eye on China, Joe Biden reiterates need for free Indo-Pacific ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical and civilizational ties. ASEAN is central to our Act East Policy and our wider vision of the Indo-Pacific. The year 2022 will mark 30 years of ASEAN-India relations. India and ASEAN have several dialogue mechanisms which meet regularly, including a Summit, Ministerial meetings and Senior Officials meetings. External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar attended the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers Meeting and EAS Foreign Ministers Meeting in August 2021 virtually.

Indian PM Modi to attend 16th East Asia, 18th ASEAN-India summits

A day after India scripted history by administering one billion COVID-19 doses in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that it was a “beginning of a new chapter of a new India.”

In a televised address, Prime Minister Modi said that economic growth was getting a boost from rising vaccinations across the country and urged citizens to purchase locally manufactured products over the upcoming festive season.

“There was a time when we would hear ‘Made in this nation’, ‘Made in that country’, but now all Indians understand the significance of ‘Made in India’,” Modi said.

“Urge all Indians to support Indian producers by purchasing ‘Made in India’ items and to advocate for ‘Vocal for Local’.”

Modi also called for vigilance against COVID-19 and recommended wearing masks during festivals.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/one-billion-doses-india-showed-faith-in-science-innovations-pm-modi-422824">One billion doses:&nbsp;India showed faith in science, innovations, says&nbsp;PM Modi</a>

The Prime Minister said that India’s vaccination programme was “science-born, science-driven and science-based”.

“Yesterday, Oct 21, India achieved the difficult but extraordinary target of one billion, COVID-19 vaccine doses. This success is the success of India, success of every citizen,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-crosses-historic-one-billion-covid-19-vaccine-milestone-422530">India crosses historic one billion COVID-19 vaccine milestone</a>

“It is a matter of pride for us that India’s vaccination programme has been science-born, science-driven and science-based," Modi said.

The country, he said, had only one mantra —that if the disease does not discriminate, then there cannot be any discrimination in the vaccination.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-vaccination-in-india-crosses-1-billion-what-about-its-neighbours-422545">COVID-19 vaccination in India crosses 1 billion. What about its neighbours?</a>

"That's why it was ensured that VIP culture was not allowed," he said.

He pointed towards apprehensions from several quarters that it would be very difficult to fight this epidemic in a democracy like India.

“It was also being said for India, for the people of India that how will so much restraint, how so much discipline work here? But for us, democracy means everyone`s cooperation,” he said

Modi said leaders from across the world congratulated India on crossing the milestone of 100 crore vaccinations, terming it a huge and extraordinary accomplishment.

“Today many people are comparing India’s vaccination programme with other countries of the world,” he said.

He further said that the speed with which India crossed the 100-crore mark is also being appreciated but we often forget that from where we have started this.

Meanwhile, more than 1.59 billion vaccine doses have been administered so far to the eligible beneficiaries, according to India’s health ministry.

(With inputs from agencies)

A day after India scripted history by administering one billion COVID-19 doses in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that it was a “beginning of a new chapter of a new India.

A day after India scripted history by administering one billion COVID-19 doses in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that it was a “beginning of a new chapter of a new India.” In a televised address, Prime Minister Modi said that economic growth was getting a boost from rising vaccinations across the country and urged citizens to purchase locally manufactured products over the upcoming festive season. “There was a time when we would hear ‘Made in this nation’, ‘Made in that country’, but now all Indians understand the significance of ‘Made in India’,” Modi said. “Urge all Indians to support Indian producers by purchasing ‘Made in India’ items and to advocate for ‘Vocal for Local’.” Modi also called for vigilance against COVID-19 and recommended wearing masks during festivals. Also read | One billion doses: India showed faith in science, innovations, says PM Modi The Prime Minister said that India’s vaccination programme was “science-born, science-driven and science-based”. “Yesterday, Oct 21, India achieved the difficult but extraordinary target of one billion, COVID-19 vaccine doses. This success is the success of India, success of every citizen,” he said. Also read | India crosses historic one billion COVID-19 vaccine milestone “It is a matter of pride for us that India’s vaccination programme has been science-born, science-driven and science-based," Modi said. The country, he said, had only one mantra —that if the disease does not discriminate, then there cannot be any discrimination in the vaccination. Also read | COVID-19 vaccination in India crosses 1 billion. What about its neighbours? "That's why it was ensured that VIP culture was not allowed," he said. He pointed towards apprehensions from several quarters that it would be very difficult to fight this epidemic in a democracy like India. “It was also being said for India, for the people of India that how will so much restraint, how so much discipline work here? But for us, democracy means everyone`s cooperation,” he said Modi said leaders from across the world congratulated India on crossing the milestone of 100 crore vaccinations, terming it a huge and extraordinary accomplishment. “Today many people are comparing India’s vaccination programme with other countries of the world,” he said. He further said that the speed with which India crossed the 100-crore mark is also being appreciated but we often forget that from where we have started this. Meanwhile, more than 1.59 billion vaccine doses have been administered so far to the eligible beneficiaries, according to India’s health ministry. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Vocal for local’: PM Modi urges people to buy ‘Made in India’ products on Diwali

It looks like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled his promise of eating ice cream with badminton star PV Sindhu when he hosted some of the Indian athletes at his residence.&nbsp;

The two-time Olympic medallist was spotted with a bowl of ice cream when the Indian Tokyo Olympics contingent went to PM Modi's official residence to have breakfast with him on Monday (August 16).&nbsp;

After Sindhu had won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games, her father PV Ramana spoke to ANI and apprised them of Sindhu's plans to eat ice cream with the Indian Prime Minister.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sports/olympics-as-pv-sindhu-wins-bronze-for-india-a-look-at-her-outstanding-journey-at-tokyo-2020-bronze-medal-402245">Olympics: As PV Sindhu wins bronze for India, a look at her outstanding journey at Tokyo 2020</a>

The reference to ice cream came in limelight, as on July 13th, PM Modi had interacted with PV Sindhu and her parents virtually over preparation for Tokyo Olympics and asked them about the shuttler's diet. He also asked whether Sindhu was allowed to have what she wanted to eat including her favourite ice cream.&nbsp;

When Sindhu said that she has to control her diet, keeping in mind the preparation, PM Modi promised that he would eat ice cream with the athlete after her competition concluded.&nbsp;

IN PICS:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/photos/india-75th-independence-day-from-olympics-to-cricket-when-free-india-shined-in-the-world-of-sports-404891" hreflang="en">India Independence - From Olympics to Cricket: When 'free India' shined in the world of Sports</a>

Now, in the pictures shared by Sindhu, she can be seen interacting with PM Modi with a bowl of ice cream in her hand.

In the caption, Sindhu wrote, "It was an absolute honour to have met with our Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji. I’m so grateful for all the help he has given to all of us athletes. I’m so excited to have finally got the chance to talk over some ice cream and also to have gifted him my racket as a small token of appreciation."

See some of the pictures here:

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Watch PM Modi's interaction with Sindhu and her parents:

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Being an athlete requires a rigorous schedule and hardwork. I asked <a href="https://twitter.com/Pvsindhu1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pvsindhu1</a> about her love for ice-cream and also interacted with her parents. <a href="https://t.co/Hlapc8VJhp">pic.twitter.com/Hlapc8VJhp</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1414966949084209155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-neeraj-chopras-javelin-throw-that-won-india-its-first-ever-athletics-gold-watch-403719">Neeraj Chopra's throw that won India its first-ever athletics gold - WATCH</a>

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was also there. He became India's first-ever gold medallist in track and field, leading India to its best-ever haul in the Olympics with seven medals — a gold, two silvers and four bronze medals.&nbsp;

Mirabai Chanu, Bajrang Punia, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Indian Men's hockey team were also present.&nbsp;

PM Modi in his Independence Day speech applauded the Indian Olympic athletes and said the country was proud of them for bringing glory to the nation and that their feat has inspired future generations.

Well, Sindhu said that it's not just ice cream, she wishes to do a lot more. "Not just ice cream, I want to do a lot more. I want to spend time with my family. Maybe go on a holiday. And just relax for a while," said Sindhu in an exclusive chat with WION's&nbsp;Digvijay Singh Deo.&nbsp;

Watch her exclusive interview here:

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It looks like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled his promise of eating ice cream with badminton star PV Sindhu when he hosted some of the Indian athletes at his residence.

It looks like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled his promise of eating ice cream with badminton star PV Sindhu when he hosted some of the Indian athletes at his residence. The two-time Olympic medallist was spotted with a bowl of ice cream when the Indian Tokyo Olympics contingent went to PM Modi's official residence to have breakfast with him on Monday (August 16). After Sindhu had won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games, her father PV Ramana spoke to ANI and apprised them of Sindhu's plans to eat ice cream with the Indian Prime Minister. IN PICS | Olympics: As PV Sindhu wins bronze for India, a look at her outstanding journey at Tokyo 2020 The reference to ice cream came in limelight, as on July 13th, PM Modi had interacted with PV Sindhu and her parents virtually over preparation for Tokyo Olympics and asked them about the shuttler's diet. He also asked whether Sindhu was allowed to have what she wanted to eat including her favourite ice cream. When Sindhu said that she has to control her diet, keeping in mind the preparation, PM Modi promised that he would eat ice cream with the athlete after her competition concluded. IN PICS: India Independence - From Olympics to Cricket: When 'free India' shined in the world of Sports Now, in the pictures shared by Sindhu, she can be seen interacting with PM Modi with a bowl of ice cream in her hand. In the caption, Sindhu wrote, "It was an absolute honour to have met with our Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji. I’m so grateful for all the help he has given to all of us athletes. I’m so excited to have finally got the chance to talk over some ice cream and also to have gifted him my racket as a small token of appreciation." See some of the pictures here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sindhu Pv (@pvsindhu1) × Watch PM Modi's interaction with Sindhu and her parents: Being an athlete requires a rigorous schedule and hardwork. I asked @Pvsindhu1 about her love for ice-cream and also interacted with her parents. pic.twitter.com/Hlapc8VJhp — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2021 × ALSO READ: Neeraj Chopra's throw that won India its first-ever athletics gold - WATCH Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was also there. He became India's first-ever gold medallist in track and field, leading India to its best-ever haul in the Olympics with seven medals — a gold, two silvers and four bronze medals. Mirabai Chanu, Bajrang Punia, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Indian Men's hockey team were also present. PM Modi in his Independence Day speech applauded the Indian Olympic athletes and said the country was proud of them for bringing glory to the nation and that their feat has inspired future generations. Well, Sindhu said that it's not just ice cream, she wishes to do a lot more. "Not just ice cream, I want to do a lot more. I want to spend time with my family. Maybe go on a holiday. And just relax for a while," said Sindhu in an exclusive chat with WION's Digvijay Singh Deo. Watch her exclusive interview here: ×

PM Narendra Modi fulfils promise, has ice cream with badminton star PV Sindhu - see pics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a high-level meeting convened on Wednesday to decide on the CBSE board examinations amid the rising Covid cases in the country, looked like a concerned guardian of the children. He expressed concern about the health of the students who were supposed to take part in class 10 board exams. According to highly placed sources, the officials had come to the meeting with a proposal to postpone the board exams and not to cancel them. 
 
The officials affirmed that once the situation gets normal, exams can be conducted, but the Prime Minister put his foot down and clearly said, the country cannot take the risk with the health of the children as they are underage. Therefore, it is necessary to cancel the exams altogether, rather than defer them. However, Prime Minister Modi approved the cancellation of class 10 exams and the postponement of the class 12 examinations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-daily-coronavirus-infections-hit-new-record-of-184372-377429" hreflang="en">India's daily coronavirus infections hit new record of 184,372</a> 
 
Officials present in the meeting said that the class 12 students will have to seek higher education once they complete school. Therefore, their exams can be conducted later. Highly placed sources present in the meeting said that it was only after the intervention of the Prime Minister that the examinations for class 10 were declared to be cancelled. 
 
Prime Minister Modi, as per the highly placed sources present in the meeting, said that class 12 students must be informed well in advance about whenever their exams will be conducted and all help must be accorded to them and their parents by the Ministry of Education and their educational institutions. This must not lead to despair among the students, the Prime Minister said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-15-day-strict-covid-restrictions-whats-allowed-whats-not-377428" hreflang="en">Maharashtra 15-day strict Covid restrictions: What’s allowed, what’s not</a> 
 
Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank informed about the decisions after the high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister ended. 
 
He said that the CBSE Class 10 examination to be held from May 4 to June 14 stands cancelled and the CBSE will declare the result on the basis of the performance of students in their schools. Dissatisfied students can appeal against it, and may get a chance to sit in the examination later. 
 
The Education Minister said the decision to hold class 12 exam will be taken after reviewing the situation on June 1. The candidates will be informed 15 days in advance, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a high-level meeting convened on Wednesday to decide on the CBSE board examinations amid the rising Covid cases in the country, looked like a concerned guardian of the children.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a high-level meeting convened on Wednesday to decide on the CBSE board examinations amid the rising Covid cases in the country, looked like a concerned guardian of the children. He expressed concern about the health of the students who were supposed to take part in class 10 board exams. According to highly placed sources, the officials had come to the meeting with a proposal to postpone the board exams and not to cancel them. The officials affirmed that once the situation gets normal, exams can be conducted, but the Prime Minister put his foot down and clearly said, the country cannot take the risk with the health of the children as they are underage. Therefore, it is necessary to cancel the exams altogether, rather than defer them. However, Prime Minister Modi approved the cancellation of class 10 exams and the postponement of the class 12 examinations. Also read | India's daily coronavirus infections hit new record of 184,372 Officials present in the meeting said that the class 12 students will have to seek higher education once they complete school. Therefore, their exams can be conducted later. Highly placed sources present in the meeting said that it was only after the intervention of the Prime Minister that the examinations for class 10 were declared to be cancelled. Prime Minister Modi, as per the highly placed sources present in the meeting, said that class 12 students must be informed well in advance about whenever their exams will be conducted and all help must be accorded to them and their parents by the Ministry of Education and their educational institutions. This must not lead to despair among the students, the Prime Minister said. Also read | Maharashtra 15-day strict Covid restrictions: What’s allowed, what’s not Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank informed about the decisions after the high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister ended. He said that the CBSE Class 10 examination to be held from May 4 to June 14 stands cancelled and the CBSE will declare the result on the basis of the performance of students in their schools. Dissatisfied students can appeal against it, and may get a chance to sit in the examination later. The Education Minister said the decision to hold class 12 exam will be taken after reviewing the situation on June 1. The candidates will be informed 15 days in advance, he said.

India's class 10 exams cancelled, class 12 CBSE exams postponed amid coronavirus surge

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged that by 2022 every poor person in the country will have a roof over their head.

"Now our Prime Minister has pledged that by 2022, when the country will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of independence, then every poor person in the country will have a roof over their head. The country had to wait so long for this economic planning. Whereas Deendayalji was saying the same thing in the 1960s," Rajnath Singh tweeted.

"Today, in the Deendayal Smriti Lecture, I spoke on the topic of ''Sankalp Bharat Ka Sankalp''. The relevance of the national goals that Deendayalji had set after attaining independence has not diminished from any point of view. Those goals are important in fulfilling the resolve of self-reliant India," he tweeted.

Deendayal Upadhyaya had said that there should be a system that protects political freedom, Rajnath Singh added.

"For this, an ordinary Indian can also get a chance to live a life of honor. Prime Minister Modi has started many schemes, due to which the poor of the country have an account in the bank, have gas facility in their homes, electricity facility in the villages, road facilities, now internet facility is being provided," Rajnath Singh tweeted.

In a country where half of the population are farmers, agriculture was neglected for such a long time that farming became a profitable business. Due to vested interests, agriculture and farmers of this country have never been given the land where the farmers of this country can also get the full fruits of their hard work, the Defence Minister stated.

Now, PM Modi has taken some such steps which will help the farmers of this country to get a better price for their produce, he added.

"In the last session of Parliament (monsoon session), two agricultural bills have been passed, through which farmers have got freedom to sell their produce in the true sense," Rajnath Singh wrote.

"Our commitment for the welfare of the farmers of India dates back to the days of Deendayal Upadhyay. No one can deter us from this path. For the first time after independence, Atalji had made the country''s village, poor and farmer the centre of his policies. Now Modiji is working on the same path and in a big way," he added.

"Recently, I released a negative list of 101 defense equipments, through which this policy was decided, that all these equipments and platforms will no longer be imported in India. Only one decision has led to manufacturing opportunities of ₹ 52,000 crore in a year," Rajnath Singh tweeted.

The Defence Minister further stated that the second major policy announcement in the defense sector is the approval of FDI up to 74 per cent in the field of defense. This has made the path of ''Make in India'' easier for foreign defense companies as well. Soon we are also going to introduce new Defense Production and Procurement Policy.

"Self-reliance is very important in the field of defense. A country that depends on imports for its defense equipment will never be strong and self-respecting. Therefore, being self-sufficient in the defense sector is linked to the ''self-respect'' and ''sovereignty'' of our country," Rajnath Singh tweeted. "Today at the UNGA meeting, Prime Minister has kept the points of people of India with full clarity and strength. Today, the whole world has heard and appreciated his message as the lofty voice of self-respecting India. I heartily congratulate him for his effective address," he added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged that by 2022 every poor person in the country will have a roof over their head.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged that by 2022 every poor person in the country will have a roof over their head. "Now our Prime Minister has pledged that by 2022, when the country will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of independence, then every poor person in the country will have a roof over their head. The country had to wait so long for this economic planning. Whereas Deendayalji was saying the same thing in the 1960s," Rajnath Singh tweeted. "Today, in the Deendayal Smriti Lecture, I spoke on the topic of ''Sankalp Bharat Ka Sankalp''. The relevance of the national goals that Deendayalji had set after attaining independence has not diminished from any point of view. Those goals are important in fulfilling the resolve of self-reliant India," he tweeted. Deendayal Upadhyaya had said that there should be a system that protects political freedom, Rajnath Singh added. "For this, an ordinary Indian can also get a chance to live a life of honor. Prime Minister Modi has started many schemes, due to which the poor of the country have an account in the bank, have gas facility in their homes, electricity facility in the villages, road facilities, now internet facility is being provided," Rajnath Singh tweeted. In a country where half of the population are farmers, agriculture was neglected for such a long time that farming became a profitable business. Due to vested interests, agriculture and farmers of this country have never been given the land where the farmers of this country can also get the full fruits of their hard work, the Defence Minister stated. Now, PM Modi has taken some such steps which will help the farmers of this country to get a better price for their produce, he added. "In the last session of Parliament (monsoon session), two agricultural bills have been passed, through which farmers have got freedom to sell their produce in the true sense," Rajnath Singh wrote. "Our commitment for the welfare of the farmers of India dates back to the days of Deendayal Upadhyay. No one can deter us from this path. For the first time after independence, Atalji had made the country''s village, poor and farmer the centre of his policies. Now Modiji is working on the same path and in a big way," he added. "Recently, I released a negative list of 101 defense equipments, through which this policy was decided, that all these equipments and platforms will no longer be imported in India. Only one decision has led to manufacturing opportunities of ₹ 52,000 crore in a year," Rajnath Singh tweeted. The Defence Minister further stated that the second major policy announcement in the defense sector is the approval of FDI up to 74 per cent in the field of defense. This has made the path of ''Make in India'' easier for foreign defense companies as well. Soon we are also going to introduce new Defense Production and Procurement Policy. "Self-reliance is very important in the field of defense. A country that depends on imports for its defense equipment will never be strong and self-respecting. Therefore, being self-sufficient in the defense sector is linked to the ''self-respect'' and ''sovereignty'' of our country," Rajnath Singh tweeted. "Today at the UNGA meeting, Prime Minister has kept the points of people of India with full clarity and strength. Today, the whole world has heard and appreciated his message as the lofty voice of self-respecting India. I heartily congratulate him for his effective address," he added.

PM Modi pledged every poor person will have a house by 2022: Rajnath Singh

With India’s coronavirus tally nearing the six lakh mark, the country is taking significant steps to weather the pandemic and its economic impact. From announcing the Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan (self-reliant India Mission) to boost the Indian industry and become less dependent on the global companies, to looking at the global partnership by asking the G20 members to work on policies to ensure flexible access to treatments for COVID-19 across borders, India is trying hard to stay ahead of the virus. This clearly implies we understand the importance of global partnerships to develop as a manufacturing hub for domestic as well as international consumption but are reluctant to provide them with market access. It’s a noble thought at a time when we want to provide impetus to our local industry. However, currently, when we are looking at the world for a vaccine and healthcare solutions to defeat the COVID-19 juggernaut we may want to spare the healthcare sector from the inward policy and look outwards for stronger collaborations to increase India’s access to global solutions.&nbsp;

Why Collaboration is Key &nbsp;

India is called the pharmacy of the world but that does not mean we are self-reliant in manufacturing them; we rely on China for key APIs, vitamins, antibiotics and excipients. There is no doubt that India is capable enough to make finished formulations and key ingredients, however, the country may take a few years to get there. For the production of even ventilators, we are dependent on imports of several components like pressure sensors and solenoid valves. Therefore, we need to provide easy access to global technologies and inputs in our journey to become self-dependent, as a self-sufficient approach alone will prove to be detrimental given the global nature of supply chains. &nbsp;

Government pressure and domestic demand have forced several local manufacturers to throw their hat in the ring and it triggered a wave of ingenuine ventilator production and even after two months of manufacturing, these ventilators remain unsold, according to some media reports. Take, for instance, production of low-cost ventilators in India in a bid to make COVID-19 treatment affordable for all, fell flat. For rendering affordable solutions to all, India tried to take a short cut through ‘jugaad’ system. According to reports, we now have locally manufactured ventilators which are made without any clinical precision, real engineering and most importantly, evaluation. We need more original thinking, and it is felt that more investment and autonomy in research can play a big role in it.&nbsp;

The Gaping Holes in India’s Healthcare Structure&nbsp;

Recently the government’s Make in India push also received a very big jolt recently after Gujarat manufactured Dhaman-1 ventilators’ quality was questioned by the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital doctors who called them artificial manual breathing devices.&nbsp;

A video went viral in which a doctor from a hospital in Vadodara was heard saying that Dhaman-1 ventilators are not of good quality and can only be used if necessary. &nbsp;Amidst the scare of rising COVID-19 cases is it advisable to risk the lives of several Indians only to boost the Indian firms which are still struggling to build capacity? &nbsp;

It becomes crucial to understand how a push was made to sell an ayurvedic combination for the cure of COVID-19 by Patanjali without any permission, at a time when the world is struggling for a vaccine or drug for the disease.&nbsp;

Mumbai, home to more than 20 million people and an epicentre for coronavirus outbreak in India, is on the brink of collapse as now the emergency ward of hospitals have two people on a bed. Corpses of virus victims were also found next to patients in another hospital in the city. The situation has highlighted India’s crumbling health infrastructure burdened by the unprecedented demand and exposed its lack of resources and self-sufficiency. Therefore, this is not the time to turn our back on access to critical medical supplies, technologies and therapies by adopting an inward-looking ecosystem. &nbsp;

The way forward&nbsp;

India stood at 63 in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business 2020 luring international manufacturers to invest in the country. &nbsp;But the question is how will global innovation enter a country that does not offer them an environment to prosper? Therefore, the right policies along with uninterrupted and robust supply chains are the need of the hour to ensure that essential life-saving products can be rendered to patients in time.&nbsp;

Indian healthcare industry is at a developing stage, making global partnerships critical in providing quality healthcare facilities to 1.3 billion citizens. To respond to the coronavirus, the medical device industry is playing a key role in ensuring that hospitals are adequately equipped to protect healthcare workers and save lives. But for global manufacturers to continue supporting India with the necessary technologies, the country needs to build welcoming policies and a conducive environment. Everything said and done, the time is right for the country to learn from counterparts and fix the gaps in its existing healthcare infrastructure. From more beds, ventilators, PPE, and test kits to a stronger global connection for bringing the latest technology and vaccines to patients, the existing medical sector needs a complete structural revamp. Made in India should be the outcome and develop organically rather than acting as a disruptor.&nbsp;

 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

With India’s coronavirus tally nearing the six lakh mark, the country is taking significant steps to weather the pandemic and its economic impact. From announcing the Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan (self-reliant India Mission) to boost the Indian industry and become less dependent on the global companies, to looking at the global partnership by asking the G20 members to work on policies to ensure flexible access to treatments for COVID-19 across borders, India is trying hard to stay ahead of the virus.

With India’s coronavirus tally nearing the six lakh mark, the country is taking significant steps to weather the pandemic and its economic impact. From announcing the Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan (self-reliant India Mission) to boost the Indian industry and become less dependent on the global companies, to looking at the global partnership by asking the G20 members to work on policies to ensure flexible access to treatments for COVID-19 across borders, India is trying hard to stay ahead of the virus. This clearly implies we understand the importance of global partnerships to develop as a manufacturing hub for domestic as well as international consumption but are reluctant to provide them with market access. It’s a noble thought at a time when we want to provide impetus to our local industry. However, currently, when we are looking at the world for a vaccine and healthcare solutions to defeat the COVID-19 juggernaut we may want to spare the healthcare sector from the inward policy and look outwards for stronger collaborations to increase India’s access to global solutions. Why Collaboration is Key India is called the pharmacy of the world but that does not mean we are self-reliant in manufacturing them; we rely on China for key APIs, vitamins, antibiotics and excipients. There is no doubt that India is capable enough to make finished formulations and key ingredients, however, the country may take a few years to get there. For the production of even ventilators, we are dependent on imports of several components like pressure sensors and solenoid valves. Therefore, we need to provide easy access to global technologies and inputs in our journey to become self-dependent, as a self-sufficient approach alone will prove to be detrimental given the global nature of supply chains. Government pressure and domestic demand have forced several local manufacturers to throw their hat in the ring and it triggered a wave of ingenuine ventilator production and even after two months of manufacturing, these ventilators remain unsold, according to some media reports. Take, for instance, production of low-cost ventilators in India in a bid to make COVID-19 treatment affordable for all, fell flat. For rendering affordable solutions to all, India tried to take a short cut through ‘jugaad’ system. According to reports, we now have locally manufactured ventilators which are made without any clinical precision, real engineering and most importantly, evaluation. We need more original thinking, and it is felt that more investment and autonomy in research can play a big role in it. The Gaping Holes in India’s Healthcare Structure Recently the government’s Make in India push also received a very big jolt recently after Gujarat manufactured Dhaman-1 ventilators’ quality was questioned by the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital doctors who called them artificial manual breathing devices. A video went viral in which a doctor from a hospital in Vadodara was heard saying that Dhaman-1 ventilators are not of good quality and can only be used if necessary. Amidst the scare of rising COVID-19 cases is it advisable to risk the lives of several Indians only to boost the Indian firms which are still struggling to build capacity? It becomes crucial to understand how a push was made to sell an ayurvedic combination for the cure of COVID-19 by Patanjali without any permission, at a time when the world is struggling for a vaccine or drug for the disease. Mumbai, home to more than 20 million people and an epicentre for coronavirus outbreak in India, is on the brink of collapse as now the emergency ward of hospitals have two people on a bed. Corpses of virus victims were also found next to patients in another hospital in the city. The situation has highlighted India’s crumbling health infrastructure burdened by the unprecedented demand and exposed its lack of resources and self-sufficiency. Therefore, this is not the time to turn our back on access to critical medical supplies, technologies and therapies by adopting an inward-looking ecosystem. The way forward India stood at 63 in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business 2020 luring international manufacturers to invest in the country. But the question is how will global innovation enter a country that does not offer them an environment to prosper? Therefore, the right policies along with uninterrupted and robust supply chains are the need of the hour to ensure that essential life-saving products can be rendered to patients in time. Indian healthcare industry is at a developing stage, making global partnerships critical in providing quality healthcare facilities to 1.3 billion citizens. To respond to the coronavirus, the medical device industry is playing a key role in ensuring that hospitals are adequately equipped to protect healthcare workers and save lives. But for global manufacturers to continue supporting India with the necessary technologies, the country needs to build welcoming policies and a conducive environment. Everything said and done, the time is right for the country to learn from counterparts and fix the gaps in its existing healthcare infrastructure. From more beds, ventilators, PPE, and test kits to a stronger global connection for bringing the latest technology and vaccines to patients, the existing medical sector needs a complete structural revamp. Made in India should be the outcome and develop organically rather than acting as a disruptor. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Riding on ‘Atma Nirbhar’ wings: Is India ready to take the plunge?

Judges manning the courts are custodians of the justice-delivery system. This system thrives and survives on public trust. For this reason, disputes engaging complex political, religious, and ethical dimensions find a quietus in courts. The most visible example in recent times was the settlement of the Ayodhya land dispute which brokered peace between two religious communities in India vying for a common piece of land. &nbsp;

This verdict was given by a bench of five judges on November 9, 2019. The then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi presided over the bench. This verdict bought peace between the Hindu and Muslim communities. The disputed area went to the majority Hindus while the minority Muslims got an alternate land of five acres. The nation was on the boil as the ruling party at the Centre – the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had made it their poll plank to construct a temple at this very site dedicated to Lord Ram, one of the Hindu Gods. The Court unanimously held the land to be Lord Ram’s birthplace. A mosque at this site had been brought down by Hindu karsevaks on December 6, 1992. Despite the heartburn, the verdict witnessed no communal backlash.&nbsp;

Four months later, former CJI Gogoi, one of the architects of the Ayodhya verdict, has been nominated by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind as a Member of Rajya Sabha. The choice of the President is governed by the ruling political dispensation at the Centre. In this case, it is the BJP which benefitted the most from the Ayodhya verdict. Also, Gogoi was part of the bench that gave a clean chit to the same BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a multi-million dollar defence purchase deal. The clamour is growing for the ex-CJI to reject the offer. But Gogoi has decided to take oath. &nbsp;

Gogoi knows that judges in the past, even CJIs, entered Parliament and accepted government posts. If Gogoi chooses to walk the beaten track, there is a disturbing history that should dissuade him from doing so.&nbsp;

Justice (Retd) Bahrul Islam, served at the Supreme Court from 1980 to 1983. Six weeks remaining for his retirement, he resigned and got Congress ticket to Lok Sabha from Barpeta (Assam). A month before his resignation, he absolved chief minister of Bihar, Jagannath Mishra, a tall Congress leader, in a case of forgery and criminal misconduct. &nbsp;

Justice (Retd) Ranga Nath Mishra retired as CJI in 1991. In 1984, he headed a judicial commission to probe allegations whether the Delhi Sikh riots was orchestrated by the ruling Congress party and its leaders. The riots were in the aftermath of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination. Mishra’s report blamed the police but absolved the Congress party of any complicity. &nbsp;

Within two years of his retirement, he became Chairman of India’s apex human rights body in October 1993. In 1998, Congress Party nominated him to the Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;

A similar charge of quid pro quo was levelled against former CJI P Sathasivam. Soon after his retirement in April 2014, he became Governor of Kerala. A year ago, he favoured Amit Shah, the present Union Home Minister, who then faced a fake encounter case as the Home Minister of Gujarat. Sathasivam presided a bench that closed probe against Shah in the alleged fake encounter killing of one Tulsiram Prajapati. The judge responded to the criticism claiming any judge in his position would have ruled the same.&nbsp;

There are other precedents too of judges accepting government posts. Judges after retirement are faced with a strong lure for political and constitutional offices. Many judges have hobnobbed with governments of the day for such posts. While nothing in law prevents judges from becoming Members of Parliament, it unnecessarily makes their decisions suspicious. This shakes public faith in judicial independence and casts doubts over their integrity. In England, there exists a bar upon retired judges to join the House of Commons. In India, this discretion is left to the judges. We do not need to control our judges. 
 
Their independence and impartiality have remained the hallmarks of their decision-making that has stood the test of time. For this reason, even the Constitution makers did not think it necessary to bar judges from holding post-retirement executive posts. But the time seems to be ripe for a rethink. After all, the judiciary is the last bastion for citizens to expect justice. And if public trust faulters, it will be hard for the judiciary to restore its institutional integrity. &nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Judges manning the courts are custodians of the justice-delivery system. This system thrives and survives on public trust. For this reason, disputes engaging complex political, religious, and ethical dimensions find a quietus in courts.

Judges manning the courts are custodians of the justice-delivery system. This system thrives and survives on public trust. For this reason, disputes engaging complex political, religious, and ethical dimensions find a quietus in courts. The most visible example in recent times was the settlement of the Ayodhya land dispute which brokered peace between two religious communities in India vying for a common piece of land. This verdict was given by a bench of five judges on November 9, 2019. The then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi presided over the bench. This verdict bought peace between the Hindu and Muslim communities. The disputed area went to the majority Hindus while the minority Muslims got an alternate land of five acres. The nation was on the boil as the ruling party at the Centre – the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had made it their poll plank to construct a temple at this very site dedicated to Lord Ram, one of the Hindu Gods. The Court unanimously held the land to be Lord Ram’s birthplace. A mosque at this site had been brought down by Hindu karsevaks on December 6, 1992. Despite the heartburn, the verdict witnessed no communal backlash. Four months later, former CJI Gogoi, one of the architects of the Ayodhya verdict, has been nominated by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind as a Member of Rajya Sabha. The choice of the President is governed by the ruling political dispensation at the Centre. In this case, it is the BJP which benefitted the most from the Ayodhya verdict. Also, Gogoi was part of the bench that gave a clean chit to the same BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a multi-million dollar defence purchase deal. The clamour is growing for the ex-CJI to reject the offer. But Gogoi has decided to take oath. Gogoi knows that judges in the past, even CJIs, entered Parliament and accepted government posts. If Gogoi chooses to walk the beaten track, there is a disturbing history that should dissuade him from doing so. Justice (Retd) Bahrul Islam, served at the Supreme Court from 1980 to 1983. Six weeks remaining for his retirement, he resigned and got Congress ticket to Lok Sabha from Barpeta (Assam). A month before his resignation, he absolved chief minister of Bihar, Jagannath Mishra, a tall Congress leader, in a case of forgery and criminal misconduct. Justice (Retd) Ranga Nath Mishra retired as CJI in 1991. In 1984, he headed a judicial commission to probe allegations whether the Delhi Sikh riots was orchestrated by the ruling Congress party and its leaders. The riots were in the aftermath of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination. Mishra’s report blamed the police but absolved the Congress party of any complicity. Within two years of his retirement, he became Chairman of India’s apex human rights body in October 1993. In 1998, Congress Party nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. A similar charge of quid pro quo was levelled against former CJI P Sathasivam. Soon after his retirement in April 2014, he became Governor of Kerala. A year ago, he favoured Amit Shah, the present Union Home Minister, who then faced a fake encounter case as the Home Minister of Gujarat. Sathasivam presided a bench that closed probe against Shah in the alleged fake encounter killing of one Tulsiram Prajapati. The judge responded to the criticism claiming any judge in his position would have ruled the same. There are other precedents too of judges accepting government posts. Judges after retirement are faced with a strong lure for political and constitutional offices. Many judges have hobnobbed with governments of the day for such posts. While nothing in law prevents judges from becoming Members of Parliament, it unnecessarily makes their decisions suspicious. This shakes public faith in judicial independence and casts doubts over their integrity. In England, there exists a bar upon retired judges to join the House of Commons. In India, this discretion is left to the judges. We do not need to control our judges. Their independence and impartiality have remained the hallmarks of their decision-making that has stood the test of time. For this reason, even the Constitution makers did not think it necessary to bar judges from holding post-retirement executive posts. But the time seems to be ripe for a rethink. After all, the judiciary is the last bastion for citizens to expect justice. And if public trust faulters, it will be hard for the judiciary to restore its institutional integrity. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Post-retirement jobs: Judiciary’s bane

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the opening ceremony of the first-ever Khelo India Games, which will be held from February 22 to March 1 at Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Games tomorrow via video conferencing, said an official statement on Friday.

The Khelo India University Games are being launched by the Government of India in association with the Government of Odisha.

"The Khelo India Programme, a brainchild of the Prime Minister was introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in the country and establish India as a great sporting nation," the statement said.

This is the largest ever competition held at the university level in India and will have about 3,500 athletes from over 150 universities across the country taking part in it.

There will be a total of 17 sports namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi at the event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the opening ceremony of the first-ever Khelo India Games, which will be held from February 22 to March 1 at Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the opening ceremony of the first-ever Khelo India Games, which will be held from February 22 to March 1 at Bhubaneswar in Odisha. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Games tomorrow via video conferencing, said an official statement on Friday. The Khelo India University Games are being launched by the Government of India in association with the Government of Odisha. "The Khelo India Programme, a brainchild of the Prime Minister was introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in the country and establish India as a great sporting nation," the statement said. This is the largest ever competition held at the university level in India and will have about 3,500 athletes from over 150 universities across the country taking part in it. There will be a total of 17 sports namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi at the event.

PM Modi to address opening ceremony of first-ever Khelo India Games

Stating that India-Israel relationship is "very strong", Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday as the latter congratulated him on the 28th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Twitter, "Today, 28 years ago, Israel and India established formal diplomatic relations. I congratulate my friend Narendra Modi for his warm friendship. Between Israel and India, a deep friendship has emerged that is evident in our many collaborations."

Both Netanyahu's tweet and Modi's response to it were in Hebrew.

"Thank you very much, my friend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. India-Israel relations are very strong. Our countries cooperate widely among themselves and in many international forums. We share common values," said the Indian PM on Twitter.&nbsp;

Stating that India-Israel relationship is "very strong", Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday as the latter congratulated him on the 28th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Stating that India-Israel relationship is "very strong", Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday as the latter congratulated him on the 28th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Twitter, "Today, 28 years ago, Israel and India established formal diplomatic relations. I congratulate my friend Narendra Modi for his warm friendship. Between Israel and India, a deep friendship has emerged that is evident in our many collaborations." Both Netanyahu's tweet and Modi's response to it were in Hebrew. "Thank you very much, my friend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. India-Israel relations are very strong. Our countries cooperate widely among themselves and in many international forums. We share common values," said the Indian PM on Twitter.

PM Modi, Netanyahu exchange pleasantries on 28th anniversary of establishment of India-Israel diplomatic ties

Narendra Modi on Thursday termed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/troops-in-north-east-would-be-reduced-after-bodoland-elections-says-army-chief-naravane-277221">Bodo agreement</a> as a historic chapter for peace and development in Assam, which sends a clear message that solution to issues is possible by leaving the path of violence and reposing faith in democracy and Constitution.

In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Modi said that the agreement is inspired by the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas' and the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat'. "As India remembers pujya Bapu on his punya tithi, Assam is witnessing a historic chapter for peace and development. After a wait of 50 years, agreement with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-extends-ban-on-assams-bodo-insurgent-group-ndfb-for-5-more-years-264229">our Bodo friends</a> heralds a new beginning. It will strengthen Assam's unity, bring development and usher in a bright future," Modi said.

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The accord with our Bodo friends was made while protecting the interest of other communities of Assam. This is a victory for all, it's victory for humanity. It is inspired by the mantraof 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas &amp; Sabka Vishwas', &amp; by the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat'.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1222807352962715648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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He said that after signing the historic agreement with Bodo organisations, the foremost priority of the government is the development of Bodo areas and work has begun on a comprehensive Rs 1,500 crore package.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bodo-accord-will-usher-in-a-new-dawn-of-peace-harmony-and-togetherness-pm-modi-276933">Bodo Accord will usher in a new dawn of peace, harmony and togetherness: PM Modi</a>

"Our special focus will be on ease of living and ensuring that Bodos benefit fully from government schemes," he said. "Bodo friends joining us on the path of peace sends a clear message that solution to issues is possible when we leave the path of violence and repose faith in democracy and Constitution. I welcome my Bodo friends to the mainstream. We are committed to ensuring the development of Bodo areas," he said.

The Prime Minister said that the accord with Bodo friends "is a message to Assam and other violence-affected parts of the country. Nation's development can be given momentum only in an environment free of violence and fear. Happy that entire energy of our Bodo friends will further strengthen Assam's development," he said.

The Prime Minister said that the accord was made while protecting the interest of other communities of Assam. He said the five-decade-old Bodo issue has found a resolution on the death anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi.

"The accord between the Bodo groups and government will strengthen the unity and integrity of Assam. I welcome the decision of my Bodo friends for leaving violence and reposing faith in democracy and Constitution," he said.

"This is a victory for all. It's a victory for humanity. It is inspired by the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas &amp; Sabka Vishwas', &amp; by the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat'," he said in a tweet.

Narendra Modi on Thursday termed the Bodo agreement as a historic chapter for peace and development in Assam, which sends a clear message that solution to issues is possible by leaving the path of violence and reposing faith in democracy and Constitution.

Narendra Modi on Thursday termed the Bodo agreement as a historic chapter for peace and development in Assam, which sends a clear message that solution to issues is possible by leaving the path of violence and reposing faith in democracy and Constitution. In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Modi said that the agreement is inspired by the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas' and the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat'. "As India remembers pujya Bapu on his punya tithi, Assam is witnessing a historic chapter for peace and development. After a wait of 50 years, agreement with our Bodo friends heralds a new beginning. It will strengthen Assam's unity, bring development and usher in a bright future," Modi said. The accord with our Bodo friends was made while protecting the interest of other communities of Assam. This is a victory for all, it's victory for humanity. It is inspired by the mantraof 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas & Sabka Vishwas', & by the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat'. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 30, 2020 × He said that after signing the historic agreement with Bodo organisations, the foremost priority of the government is the development of Bodo areas and work has begun on a comprehensive Rs 1,500 crore package. Also Read: Bodo Accord will usher in a new dawn of peace, harmony and togetherness: PM Modi "Our special focus will be on ease of living and ensuring that Bodos benefit fully from government schemes," he said. "Bodo friends joining us on the path of peace sends a clear message that solution to issues is possible when we leave the path of violence and repose faith in democracy and Constitution. I welcome my Bodo friends to the mainstream. We are committed to ensuring the development of Bodo areas," he said. The Prime Minister said that the accord with Bodo friends "is a message to Assam and other violence-affected parts of the country. Nation's development can be given momentum only in an environment free of violence and fear. Happy that entire energy of our Bodo friends will further strengthen Assam's development," he said. The Prime Minister said that the accord was made while protecting the interest of other communities of Assam. He said the five-decade-old Bodo issue has found a resolution on the death anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi. "The accord between the Bodo groups and government will strengthen the unity and integrity of Assam. I welcome the decision of my Bodo friends for leaving violence and reposing faith in democracy and Constitution," he said. "This is a victory for all. It's a victory for humanity. It is inspired by the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas & Sabka Vishwas', & by the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat'," he said in a tweet.

Latest South Asia News - Prime Minister Modi: Bodo agreement sends message that solution to issues lies in abjuring violence

Narendra Modi on Tuesday outlined the increase in production of the potato crop in the country while asserting that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-brazil-ink-15-pacts-unveil-action-plan-to-broadbase-ties-276514">policy initiative</a>, decision and modern facilities for irrigation have led to about 20 per cent increase in production of this root vegetable.

Addressing the third Global Potato Conclave being held at Gandhinagar Gujarat via videoconference from here, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-modi-greets-nation-on-71st-republic-day-276579">Prime Minister Modi</a> said, "About 6,000 farmers are going to visit Gujarat's farms on field day (of the conclave). It is a commendable task in itself. It is also commendable that the potato conclave is happening outside Delhi, in Gujarat."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-disinvestment-begins-modi-govt-invites-bids-for-100-stake-sale-276796">Modi </a>also hailed farmers of Gujarat for the tremendous increase in production of potato and said, "The entire potato production has increased by 20 per cent. In Gujarat, it has increased by 170 per cent. Policy initiative, decision and modern facilities for irrigation are the reasons behind this growth in both quality and quantity. In the last two decades, Gujarat has become one of the hubs for production and export of potatoes", Modi said.

<img alt="PM Narendra Modi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b314c6dd-7f3e-4ab0-9d9d-1e26888d6705" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/modi-ani_0.jpg" /> 
[ Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi (Courtesy: ANI) ]

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/give-pm-modi-a-chance-to-transform-delhi-into-a-front-ranking-world-capital-amit-shah-276203">Give PM Modi a chance to transform Delhi into a front-ranking world capital: Amit Shah</a>

Speaking further about his home state and the facilities available for storage and transportation of potato, there, he said, "There is a huge and interconnected network for cold storage of potatoes in Gujarat. Some of them have world-class facilities. Today, water for irrigation has reached areas that used to remain dry all year round", Modi added.

"Work on the scientific and technological approach is being done for irrigation. Working on the mantra of 'per drop more crop', micro-irrigation is being focussed upon," he said.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the conference through video conferencing and also urged the national, international participants of the conclave to visit the historical places related with Mahatma Gandhi, situated in Gujarat as well as Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Patel.

Narendra Modi on Tuesday outlined the increase in production of the potato crop in the country while asserting that policy initiative, decision and modern facilities for irrigation have led to about 20 per cent increase in production of this root vegetable.

Narendra Modi on Tuesday outlined the increase in production of the potato crop in the country while asserting that policy initiative, decision and modern facilities for irrigation have led to about 20 per cent increase in production of this root vegetable. Addressing the third Global Potato Conclave being held at Gandhinagar Gujarat via videoconference from here, Prime Minister Modi said, "About 6,000 farmers are going to visit Gujarat's farms on field day (of the conclave). It is a commendable task in itself. It is also commendable that the potato conclave is happening outside Delhi, in Gujarat." Modi also hailed farmers of Gujarat for the tremendous increase in production of potato and said, "The entire potato production has increased by 20 per cent. In Gujarat, it has increased by 170 per cent. Policy initiative, decision and modern facilities for irrigation are the reasons behind this growth in both quality and quantity. In the last two decades, Gujarat has become one of the hubs for production and export of potatoes", Modi said. [ Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi (Courtesy: ANI) ] Also Read: Give PM Modi a chance to transform Delhi into a front-ranking world capital: Amit Shah Speaking further about his home state and the facilities available for storage and transportation of potato, there, he said, "There is a huge and interconnected network for cold storage of potatoes in Gujarat. Some of them have world-class facilities. Today, water for irrigation has reached areas that used to remain dry all year round", Modi added. "Work on the scientific and technological approach is being done for irrigation. Working on the mantra of 'per drop more crop', micro-irrigation is being focussed upon," he said. Prime Minister Modi addressed the conference through video conferencing and also urged the national, international participants of the conclave to visit the historical places related with Mahatma Gandhi, situated in Gujarat as well as Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Patel.

Policy initiatives, modern facilities led to increase in Potato production by 20 per cent: PM Modi

Praising the National Cadet Corps (NCC) for inculcating discipline and commitment in the youth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said these qualities are directly associated with the development of the country.

"NCC instils the youth of the country with energy, discipline, devotion, commitment and more such qualities. These are directly associated with the development of the country," Modi said while addressing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-government-cleared-the-stalled-purchase-of-rafale-aircraft-for-iaf-narendra-modi-277065">NCC </a>rally at Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had presented awards to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-navy-plans-2-day-event-commemorate-surgical-strike-across-loc-167990">best cadets</a>. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, and the three wing-chiefs were also present at the rally. Cadets from Bhutan, Russia, and Nepal participated in the event held today.

"No one can stop a country if its youth has all these values. 65% of Indians are below 35 years of age, making India a young country. It is important that India's thought is young as well," Modi added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mann-ki-baat-pm-modi-lauds-ncc-cadets-on-ncc-day-says-it-helps-build-a-character-of-youth-264169">Mann Ki Baat: After Ayodhya verdict, country moved ahead on new path, says PM Modi</a>

The Prime Minister further spoke about the Kashmir issue and said, "Earlier, what was done for solving problems in Kashmir? 3-4 families worked not towards solving the issues but towards nurturing them. The result was that thousands of innocents died due to terrorism. People were forced to even migrate from there."

"Article 370 was implemented in J&amp;K as a temporary measure. It continued for decades as no one showed enough courage to abrogate it. For vested interests and vote-banks, politicians did not solve this issue for 70 years," he added.

"Can we hand our youth a country that has a problem with terrorism? Absolutely not. Kashmir is our pride and freeing it from problems was our responsibility, and we delivered," he said in connection with the removal of Article 370 which gave Kashmir its special status.

He further implored the people to work together to solve the problems affecting the country. "We will have to work together keeping in mind the challenges of the past, requirements of the present and ambitions for the future," the Prime Minister said.

Praising the National Cadet Corps (NCC) for inculcating discipline and commitment in the youth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said these qualities are directly associated with the development of the country.

Praising the National Cadet Corps (NCC) for inculcating discipline and commitment in the youth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said these qualities are directly associated with the development of the country. "NCC instils the youth of the country with energy, discipline, devotion, commitment and more such qualities. These are directly associated with the development of the country," Modi said while addressing the NCC rally at Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi. Earlier, the Prime Minister had presented awards to the best cadets. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, and the three wing-chiefs were also present at the rally. Cadets from Bhutan, Russia, and Nepal participated in the event held today. "No one can stop a country if its youth has all these values. 65% of Indians are below 35 years of age, making India a young country. It is important that India's thought is young as well," Modi added. Also Read: Mann Ki Baat: After Ayodhya verdict, country moved ahead on new path, says PM Modi The Prime Minister further spoke about the Kashmir issue and said, "Earlier, what was done for solving problems in Kashmir? 3-4 families worked not towards solving the issues but towards nurturing them. The result was that thousands of innocents died due to terrorism. People were forced to even migrate from there." "Article 370 was implemented in J&K as a temporary measure. It continued for decades as no one showed enough courage to abrogate it. For vested interests and vote-banks, politicians did not solve this issue for 70 years," he added. "Can we hand our youth a country that has a problem with terrorism? Absolutely not. Kashmir is our pride and freeing it from problems was our responsibility, and we delivered," he said in connection with the removal of Article 370 which gave Kashmir its special status. He further implored the people to work together to solve the problems affecting the country. "We will have to work together keeping in mind the challenges of the past, requirements of the present and ambitions for the future," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi praises NCC, says it is instilling discipline and devotion in the youth

Brazil's President to be the Guest of Honor on India's 71st Republic Day

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-modi-to-inaugurate-kolkata-port-trusts-150th-anniversary-event-today-273682">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> will on Wednesday chair the 32nd interaction through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for pro-active governance and timely implementation.&nbsp;

According to a release issued by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/prime-minister-narendra-modi-speaking-at-inauguration-of-integrated-check-post-icp-at-jogbani-biratnagar-275661">Narendra Modi </a>website, in the previous 31 interactions of PRAGATI, projects worth over Rs 12 lakh crores have been reviewed by the Prime Minister.

In the last PRAGATI meeting of the year 2019, nine projects worth over Rs. 61,000 crores related to 16 states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir were taken up for discussion.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-orders-distribution-of-equipment-to-farmers-on-priority-to-stop-stubble-burning-260465">PM Modi orders distribution of equipment to farmers on 'priority' to stop stubble burning</a>

<img alt="PM Narendra Modi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="06f98e59-8ddb-41b2-8a36-cb42704ad675" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2845%29_3.jpg" /> 
[ Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Courtesy: ANI) ]

There were also discussions on various topics like grievances of Indian citizens working abroad, National Agriculture Market, Aspirational District Programme and infrastructure development programmes and initiatives.

The Prime Minister had launched the multi-purpose and multi-modal governance platform PRAGATI on March 25, 2015. PRAGATI - is an integrating and interactive platform, aimed at addressing the common man's grievances.&nbsp;

PRAGATI also helps in simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India, as well as projects flagged by various state governments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Wednesday chair the 32nd interaction through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for pro-active governance and timely implementation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Wednesday chair the 32nd interaction through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for pro-active governance and timely implementation. According to a release issued by Narendra Modi website, in the previous 31 interactions of PRAGATI, projects worth over Rs 12 lakh crores have been reviewed by the Prime Minister. In the last PRAGATI meeting of the year 2019, nine projects worth over Rs. 61,000 crores related to 16 states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir were taken up for discussion. Also Read: PM Modi orders distribution of equipment to farmers on 'priority' to stop stubble burning [ Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Courtesy: ANI) ] There were also discussions on various topics like grievances of Indian citizens working abroad, National Agriculture Market, Aspirational District Programme and infrastructure development programmes and initiatives. The Prime Minister had launched the multi-purpose and multi-modal governance platform PRAGATI on March 25, 2015. PRAGATI - is an integrating and interactive platform, aimed at addressing the common man's grievances. PRAGATI also helps in simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India, as well as projects flagged by various state governments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Chair 32nd PRAGATI meeting

Not many relationships in Asia have influenced the Indo-Pacific undercurrents as much as India-Japan relations have in recent times. If the annual leadership summits strengthened their political narrative, the recently concluded two-plus-two ministerial dialogue brought strategic substance, strengthening the narrative that both have been nurturing with frequent dialogues, official mechanisms and visits. &nbsp;

Such a substantive and secured relationship should, however, be constantly emboldened with the changing nature of national growth and developmental planning. It should go in parallel with national security thinking, especially factoring in new-age technologies and changing geopolitics. India-Japan relations must also imbibe and secure their relationship with innovative ideas while keeping it parallel to their domestic developmental discourse. &nbsp;

Under Shinzo Abe, Japan’s strategic reorientation in Asia is enduring constant change. This strategic reorientation holds significant implications for most countries, including India, at a time when Japan has moved to “Reiwa” era from its traditional “Hensei” era. “Reiwa” era complements Abe’s nationalist foreign policy, rebuking the Chinese traditional link with the Japanese system. In other words, Japan under Abe and its future leaderships is expected to employ a more autonomist, self-assured and pro-active foreign policy that is central to its quest to regain its lost glory. India should perceive this positively as it boosts a multipolar Asian power structure. &nbsp;

As the longest-serving Prime Minister of Japan, Abe has inculcated an India legacy under his leadership. It was Abe’s 2007 speech in the Indian Parliament on “Confluence of the Two Seas” that set the tone for the present Indo-Pacific undercurrents. Abe’s arrival for a third term as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2014-2017 coincided with the arrival of parallelly strong leadership in New Delhi with Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India, translating into a ‘leadership friendship’ framework that has deeply guided their relationship. More importantly, they have begun revitalising the Quad in the Indo-Pacific narrative. &nbsp;

Abe is also pursuing a more independent spectrum of security thinking. If not entirely a departure from its past “alliance structure” framework of international posturing with the United States, Tokyo’s attempt is to explore a new spectrum of security alignments through a fresh mode of policies and partnerships, including India in regional affairs. Japan’s vision of a harmonious regional order that Abe’s nationalist foreign policy is trying to emphasise through its “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” advocacy complements India’s nuanced Indo-Pacific outlook. Maintaining strategic restraint has become principal to strengthen national security and defence posturing and rebuilding ties with China is an important part of it. This further adds to India’s ‘inclusive’ Indo-Pacific construct that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pitching to promote stable relations with Beijing. &nbsp;

Likewise, Indian foreign policy is currently boosting a new level of confidence with Tokyo. The recent two-plus-two ministerial dialogue has certainly enhanced their strategic and economic strides. India under Modi 2.0 is set to overtake the United Kingdom as the fifth largest global economy in nominal terms and is positioned to overtake Japan by 2025 to become the second-largest economy in Asia-Pacific. India’s national narrative has imbibed a nationalist character – focusing on economic growth and technological progression with schemes like ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, and ‘Aayushman Bharat’. Such schemes must encourage the participation of Japan as a serious and longstanding partner, especially in the field of technology. &nbsp;

Technology was, in fact, a focal point during Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Tokyo in September 2019. While defence ties are on the upswing, the field of technology too offers a plethora of convergences. Aside from some joint projects (of which the Delhi Metro network, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor are few potent examples) and the acquisitions of Indian companies like Camlin by Japanese businesses, the technology business-business cooperation is still very low. &nbsp;

Past ventures between Japan and India however, albeit less, have been extremely successful like Maruti Suzuki’s dominance in Indian automobile sector and the planned undersea cable from Chennai to Andaman-Nicobar. The 2018 technology partnership between Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, is focused on major research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and may further expand to 5G and robotics. 5G happens to be a potential key area of facilitation between the two and something that could be a focal point of cooperation. India plans on being an early adopter of 5G technology and Japanese aid could facilitate the same. &nbsp;

Another possible avenue of discussion should be the Osaka Track, a policy proposal by Shinzo Abe at the G-20 summit in 2019 that calls for the creation of international guidelines and rules for free movement of data beyond country lines. However, there exists some friction with India seriously considering data localisation through legislative action and refusing to sign the statement affirming the Track. In an otherwise untarnished, uncomplicated and decades-old relationship, it is important for Japan to accommodate and resolve such issues, particularly at a time when both countries are looking for a greater international partnership, including renegotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to board India as a free-trading regional partner. Japan’s willingness not to exclude India from the RCEP is a testimony of this strengthened partnership. Further, a refreshed theory in multilateral cooperation vis-à-vis infrastructural and economic growth is called for. A renewed outlook by Japan, in lieu of Asian Development Bank (ADB), to become a member of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) can be beneficial in improving India-Japan bilateral ties and regional cooperation, given that India is a founding member of the AIIB.&nbsp;

With India’s defence procurement getting versatile, the recently concluded inaugural two-plus-two ministerial dialogue signals a new opportunity for Japan to explore the Indian domestic defence market afresh. Tokyo on its part hopes to enter the global arms market by leaving behind its self-imposed 1967 Arms Export ban, otherwise known as the Three Principles Exports Ban. The rebirth of the Japanese defence industry can only be possible via arms trade. &nbsp;

The negotiations over the logistics pact, Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which will allow access to bases of the Indian Navy and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), has brought the requisite confidence aided by the successful maritime exercises. Concrete talk on the Japanese amphibian aircraft, ShinMaywa US-2i and the recent cooperative understanding between India’s Mahindra Defence and ShinMaywa Industries Limited of Japan over the same is setting a new benchmark on technology transfer cooperation. Also, defence technology sharing is increasing between Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistical Agency (ATLA) and the Department of Defence Production (DDP). &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the charged Indo-Pacific geopolitical scenario, Modi and Abe have set an ideal example of using personal chemistry to forward mutually advantageous policy outlooks. It does require some reworking – their partnership must be restructured beyond the excessive US-centred Indo-Pacific framework, and the current US-China and South Korea-Japan tension must encourage them to realise their respective national strength to nurture a partnership that is independent of alliance-alignment politics. Their mutual appreciation as ‘natural partners’ must imbibe national developmental patterns, with a focus on technological collaboration. Both must realise the virtual reality and new possibilities offered by information technology to capitalise on them collaboratively. It is not difficult to realise that the world will live in an age of information technology rather than in&nbsp;age of the Indo-Pacific that is often made out to be the capital of India-Japan partnership. &nbsp;

(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Not many relationships in Asia have influenced the Indo-Pacific undercurrents as much as India-Japan relations have in recent times. If the annual leadership summits strengthened their political narrative, the recently concluded two-plus-two ministerial dialogue brought strategic substance, strengthening the narrative that both have been nurturing with frequent dialogues, official mechanisms and visits.

Not many relationships in Asia have influenced the Indo-Pacific undercurrents as much as India-Japan relations have in recent times. If the annual leadership summits strengthened their political narrative, the recently concluded two-plus-two ministerial dialogue brought strategic substance, strengthening the narrative that both have been nurturing with frequent dialogues, official mechanisms and visits. Such a substantive and secured relationship should, however, be constantly emboldened with the changing nature of national growth and developmental planning. It should go in parallel with national security thinking, especially factoring in new-age technologies and changing geopolitics. India-Japan relations must also imbibe and secure their relationship with innovative ideas while keeping it parallel to their domestic developmental discourse. Under Shinzo Abe, Japan’s strategic reorientation in Asia is enduring constant change. This strategic reorientation holds significant implications for most countries, including India, at a time when Japan has moved to “Reiwa” era from its traditional “Hensei” era. “Reiwa” era complements Abe’s nationalist foreign policy, rebuking the Chinese traditional link with the Japanese system. In other words, Japan under Abe and its future leaderships is expected to employ a more autonomist, self-assured and pro-active foreign policy that is central to its quest to regain its lost glory. India should perceive this positively as it boosts a multipolar Asian power structure. As the longest-serving Prime Minister of Japan, Abe has inculcated an India legacy under his leadership. It was Abe’s 2007 speech in the Indian Parliament on “Confluence of the Two Seas” that set the tone for the present Indo-Pacific undercurrents. Abe’s arrival for a third term as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2014-2017 coincided with the arrival of parallelly strong leadership in New Delhi with Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India, translating into a ‘leadership friendship’ framework that has deeply guided their relationship. More importantly, they have begun revitalising the Quad in the Indo-Pacific narrative. Abe is also pursuing a more independent spectrum of security thinking. If not entirely a departure from its past “alliance structure” framework of international posturing with the United States, Tokyo’s attempt is to explore a new spectrum of security alignments through a fresh mode of policies and partnerships, including India in regional affairs. Japan’s vision of a harmonious regional order that Abe’s nationalist foreign policy is trying to emphasise through its “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” advocacy complements India’s nuanced Indo-Pacific outlook. Maintaining strategic restraint has become principal to strengthen national security and defence posturing and rebuilding ties with China is an important part of it. This further adds to India’s ‘inclusive’ Indo-Pacific construct that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pitching to promote stable relations with Beijing. Likewise, Indian foreign policy is currently boosting a new level of confidence with Tokyo. The recent two-plus-two ministerial dialogue has certainly enhanced their strategic and economic strides. India under Modi 2.0 is set to overtake the United Kingdom as the fifth largest global economy in nominal terms and is positioned to overtake Japan by 2025 to become the second-largest economy in Asia-Pacific. India’s national narrative has imbibed a nationalist character – focusing on economic growth and technological progression with schemes like ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, and ‘Aayushman Bharat’. Such schemes must encourage the participation of Japan as a serious and longstanding partner, especially in the field of technology. Technology was, in fact, a focal point during Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Tokyo in September 2019. While defence ties are on the upswing, the field of technology too offers a plethora of convergences. Aside from some joint projects (of which the Delhi Metro network, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor are few potent examples) and the acquisitions of Indian companies like Camlin by Japanese businesses, the technology business-business cooperation is still very low. Past ventures between Japan and India however, albeit less, have been extremely successful like Maruti Suzuki’s dominance in Indian automobile sector and the planned undersea cable from Chennai to Andaman-Nicobar. The 2018 technology partnership between Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, is focused on major research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and may further expand to 5G and robotics. 5G happens to be a potential key area of facilitation between the two and something that could be a focal point of cooperation. India plans on being an early adopter of 5G technology and Japanese aid could facilitate the same. Another possible avenue of discussion should be the Osaka Track, a policy proposal by Shinzo Abe at the G-20 summit in 2019 that calls for the creation of international guidelines and rules for free movement of data beyond country lines. However, there exists some friction with India seriously considering data localisation through legislative action and refusing to sign the statement affirming the Track. In an otherwise untarnished, uncomplicated and decades-old relationship, it is important for Japan to accommodate and resolve such issues, particularly at a time when both countries are looking for a greater international partnership, including renegotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to board India as a free-trading regional partner. Japan’s willingness not to exclude India from the RCEP is a testimony of this strengthened partnership. Further, a refreshed theory in multilateral cooperation vis-à-vis infrastructural and economic growth is called for. A renewed outlook by Japan, in lieu of Asian Development Bank (ADB), to become a member of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) can be beneficial in improving India-Japan bilateral ties and regional cooperation, given that India is a founding member of the AIIB. With India’s defence procurement getting versatile, the recently concluded inaugural two-plus-two ministerial dialogue signals a new opportunity for Japan to explore the Indian domestic defence market afresh. Tokyo on its part hopes to enter the global arms market by leaving behind its self-imposed 1967 Arms Export ban, otherwise known as the Three Principles Exports Ban. The rebirth of the Japanese defence industry can only be possible via arms trade. The negotiations over the logistics pact, Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which will allow access to bases of the Indian Navy and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), has brought the requisite confidence aided by the successful maritime exercises. Concrete talk on the Japanese amphibian aircraft, ShinMaywa US-2i and the recent cooperative understanding between India’s Mahindra Defence and ShinMaywa Industries Limited of Japan over the same is setting a new benchmark on technology transfer cooperation. Also, defence technology sharing is increasing between Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistical Agency (ATLA) and the Department of Defence Production (DDP). In the charged Indo-Pacific geopolitical scenario, Modi and Abe have set an ideal example of using personal chemistry to forward mutually advantageous policy outlooks. It does require some reworking – their partnership must be restructured beyond the excessive US-centred Indo-Pacific framework, and the current US-China and South Korea-Japan tension must encourage them to realise their respective national strength to nurture a partnership that is independent of alliance-alignment politics. Their mutual appreciation as ‘natural partners’ must imbibe national developmental patterns, with a focus on technological collaboration. Both must realise the virtual reality and new possibilities offered by information technology to capitalise on them collaboratively. It is not difficult to realise that the world will live in an age of information technology rather than in age of the Indo-Pacific that is often made out to be the capital of India-Japan partnership. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

National narratives guiding India-Japan ties

BRIC&nbsp;was formed as a formal grouping in Saint Petersburg in September 2006, with the 1st official summit being held in June 2009 at Yekaterinburg in Russia. BRIC became BRICS only in 2010, with the entry of South Africa, in addition to already existing members - Brazil, Russia, India and China.&nbsp;

All BRICS nations are members of the G20 group. BRICS make up almost 42 per cent of the world’s population, 23 per cent of the global GDP, about 17 per cent of the world trade, almost 50 per cent of world economic growth and 26.6 of the world area.

In a breakthrough at the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza in Brazil 2014, India got the presidency of the New Development Bank (NDB)— the name that Narendra Modi had endorsed. It was launched with an initial capital of $50 billion after the leaders signed the "Fortaleza Declaration". While China walked away with the bank’s headquarters, to be located in Shanghai, Modi got Beijing to agree on equal shareholding rights for all members.&nbsp;

NDB's Articles of Agreement specify that all members of the United Nations could be members of the bank, however, the share of the BRICS nations can never be less than 55 per cent&nbsp;of the voting power. From an Indian perspective, BRICS has emerged as the voice of developing countries on diverse issues like WTO, climate change, inclusive development and mutual cooperation in areas including trade, finance, health, agriculture, energy, space, culture, education, technology and IT.

Also, India has to maintain the balancing act between Russia-China on the one side and the US on the other. While India's stature in global affairs in the last five years under its dynamic Prime Minister Narendra Modi has seen an unprecedented rise, the current crop of BRICS leaders too are opinionated personalities — from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russian President Vladimir Putin to Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro. Hence the shrewd deftness with which South Block, in the last five years under Modi, has taken the lead in galvanising BRICS to take a strong stand against terrorism, putting aside conflicting domestic agendas, is commendable.

Last year at the 10th BRICS Summit, the joint working group on counter-terrorism decided to constitute sub-working groups in five areas: terrorist financing; use of Internet for terrorist purposes; countering radicalisation; the issue of foreign terrorist fighters; and capacity-building.

During meetings of National Security Advisers of BRICS, India’s NSA Ajit Doval put forward a proposal to host a BRICS workshop on digital forensics in India. Brazil also made terrorism one of the priorities for its presidency. It held the first BRICS seminar on Strategies for Countering Terrorism. The focus on countering global terrorism will be even more pronounced this year at the 11th BRICS Summit in the wake of recent terrorist attacks on Israel on 12th and 13th November 2019, with Israel being bombarded by over 250 rockets and missiles by the radical Islamic Jihad and Palestinian militants.

That BRICS put counter-terrorism on top of the agenda has been a huge diplomatic victory for Narendra Modi and India as was evident even in the BRICS Summit in Xiamen in September 2017, with China as the chair, despite the strained ties at that point,due to the standoff in Doklam.

Again at the 10th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) which is a programme of partnership among BRICS nations that sought to focus on maximising the opportunities arising from the Fourth Industrial Revolution/New Industrial Revolution, showcased how India under Modi has taken the lead in making intra BRICS trade, commerce, investments and people to people connect, the cornerstone of its global messaging.

Coming back to the 11th BRICS Summit in Brasilia in Brazil, it has been an excellent opportunity for India to lay the foundation for hosting the 2021 Summit, scheduled in India after the last BRICS Summit that took place in Goa in 2016. India will also be hosting the G20 Summit in 2022, and the current summit is an opportunity to harmonise the two agendas from New India's perspective. PM Modi also expressed satisfaction that MOU between trade promotion agencies of BRICS will help to achieve the target of USD 500 billion intra-BRICS trade target going forward, among other things. He also mentioned about India's programme of Fit India and proposed for a BRICS Youth Summit to promote Start-Ups and Hackathons.&nbsp;

This year in 2019, "BRICS-- Economic Growth for an Innovative Future" was the theme. In the Summit, apart from Brazil's decision to allow visa free entry to Indians and agreement on bilateral cooperation in areas like bio fuels, post harvest technologies and animal husbandry, clearly, Xi Jinping's invite to PM Modi to China for the 3rd informal summit between the two nations in 2020, hogged headlines.

This is significant as it comes close on the heels of the 2nd informal Summit at Mamallapuram in Chennai last month between the two world leaders. The leaders further reviewed the ongoing preparations for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China in 2020. The leaders also reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and security in border areas and exchanged views on many issues including RCEP, WTO and BRICS.

Besides China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Brasilia garnered attention. It was the 4th meeting of the two leaders in 2019, after Modi’s visit to Vladivostok in September 2019, underpinning how Russia is one of the pivots of Modi's foreign policy outreach. The two leaders noted that the USD 25 billion bilateral trade target by 2025 has already been achieved. They further decided to hold the 1st bilateral regional forum between Russian Provinces and the Indian States in 2020, to do away with the trade barriers at the regional level. Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the potential of the Arctic region in natural gas and invited India to invest in the region.

The leaders also reviewed the progress made in the Infrastructure sector, especially railways including raising the speed of the Nagpur-Secunderabad sector railway line. The leaders further noted cooperation between India and Russia in the Defence sector and Civil Nuclear Energy. Prime Minister Modi accepted the Russian President’s invitation to participate in Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in 2020.

In the final analysis, BRICS 2019 focussed on strengthening cooperation in the fields of science, technology, innovation and the digital economy. The annual summit also aimed to advance cooperation in the fight against transnational crime, especially organized crime, money laundering and drug trafficking.

Euro-Atlantic powers realize that India’s close relationship with the US and commitment to a liberal global order is what prevents BRICS from becoming a divisive, illiberal anti-Western coalition, led by Russian muscle power and Chinese money power. For instance, were Modi to boycott the Xiamen summit in 2017, amidst the Doklam standoff then, it would have been the death knell of BRICS, reducing this grouping to an incoherent bunch of expansionist powers like Russia and China on the one hand and tottering economies like Brazil and South Africa on the other. Brazil and South Africa, which in the last few years have wandered aimlessly from one domestic economic crisis to another have increasingly started looking at South Block to enhance bilateral cooperation to prevent further marginalisation.

BRICS, which in many ways is redefining multilateralism and multiculturalism, has emerged as a template for cooperation between emerging powers and a useful instrument for India to fight the agenda-setting monopoly of Atlantic powers, in its quest for a greater role in global governance. Above all, if BRICS has furthered the cause of a multipolar world, the credit for this unarguably goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy outreach that is both inclusive and global in its approach, but with "India first", being the guiding diktat.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-brics-modi-s-foreign-policy-pivot-2801796">original article</a>) 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

BRIC was formed as a formal grouping in Saint Petersburg in September 2006, with the 1st official summit being held in June 2009 at Yekaterinburg in Russia. BRIC became BRICS only in 2010, with the entry of South Africa, in addition to already existing members - Brazil, Russia, India and China.

BRIC was formed as a formal grouping in Saint Petersburg in September 2006, with the 1st official summit being held in June 2009 at Yekaterinburg in Russia. BRIC became BRICS only in 2010, with the entry of South Africa, in addition to already existing members - Brazil, Russia, India and China. All BRICS nations are members of the G20 group. BRICS make up almost 42 per cent of the world’s population, 23 per cent of the global GDP, about 17 per cent of the world trade, almost 50 per cent of world economic growth and 26.6 of the world area. In a breakthrough at the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza in Brazil 2014, India got the presidency of the New Development Bank (NDB)— the name that Narendra Modi had endorsed. It was launched with an initial capital of $50 billion after the leaders signed the "Fortaleza Declaration". While China walked away with the bank’s headquarters, to be located in Shanghai, Modi got Beijing to agree on equal shareholding rights for all members. NDB's Articles of Agreement specify that all members of the United Nations could be members of the bank, however, the share of the BRICS nations can never be less than 55 per cent of the voting power. From an Indian perspective, BRICS has emerged as the voice of developing countries on diverse issues like WTO, climate change, inclusive development and mutual cooperation in areas including trade, finance, health, agriculture, energy, space, culture, education, technology and IT. Also, India has to maintain the balancing act between Russia-China on the one side and the US on the other. While India's stature in global affairs in the last five years under its dynamic Prime Minister Narendra Modi has seen an unprecedented rise, the current crop of BRICS leaders too are opinionated personalities — from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russian President Vladimir Putin to Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro. Hence the shrewd deftness with which South Block, in the last five years under Modi, has taken the lead in galvanising BRICS to take a strong stand against terrorism, putting aside conflicting domestic agendas, is commendable. Last year at the 10th BRICS Summit, the joint working group on counter-terrorism decided to constitute sub-working groups in five areas: terrorist financing; use of Internet for terrorist purposes; countering radicalisation; the issue of foreign terrorist fighters; and capacity-building. During meetings of National Security Advisers of BRICS, India’s NSA Ajit Doval put forward a proposal to host a BRICS workshop on digital forensics in India. Brazil also made terrorism one of the priorities for its presidency. It held the first BRICS seminar on Strategies for Countering Terrorism. The focus on countering global terrorism will be even more pronounced this year at the 11th BRICS Summit in the wake of recent terrorist attacks on Israel on 12th and 13th November 2019, with Israel being bombarded by over 250 rockets and missiles by the radical Islamic Jihad and Palestinian militants. That BRICS put counter-terrorism on top of the agenda has been a huge diplomatic victory for Narendra Modi and India as was evident even in the BRICS Summit in Xiamen in September 2017, with China as the chair, despite the strained ties at that point,due to the standoff in Doklam. Again at the 10th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) which is a programme of partnership among BRICS nations that sought to focus on maximising the opportunities arising from the Fourth Industrial Revolution/New Industrial Revolution, showcased how India under Modi has taken the lead in making intra BRICS trade, commerce, investments and people to people connect, the cornerstone of its global messaging. Coming back to the 11th BRICS Summit in Brasilia in Brazil, it has been an excellent opportunity for India to lay the foundation for hosting the 2021 Summit, scheduled in India after the last BRICS Summit that took place in Goa in 2016. India will also be hosting the G20 Summit in 2022, and the current summit is an opportunity to harmonise the two agendas from New India's perspective. PM Modi also expressed satisfaction that MOU between trade promotion agencies of BRICS will help to achieve the target of USD 500 billion intra-BRICS trade target going forward, among other things. He also mentioned about India's programme of Fit India and proposed for a BRICS Youth Summit to promote Start-Ups and Hackathons. This year in 2019, "BRICS-- Economic Growth for an Innovative Future" was the theme. In the Summit, apart from Brazil's decision to allow visa free entry to Indians and agreement on bilateral cooperation in areas like bio fuels, post harvest technologies and animal husbandry, clearly, Xi Jinping's invite to PM Modi to China for the 3rd informal summit between the two nations in 2020, hogged headlines. This is significant as it comes close on the heels of the 2nd informal Summit at Mamallapuram in Chennai last month between the two world leaders. The leaders further reviewed the ongoing preparations for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China in 2020. The leaders also reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and security in border areas and exchanged views on many issues including RCEP, WTO and BRICS. Besides China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Brasilia garnered attention. It was the 4th meeting of the two leaders in 2019, after Modi’s visit to Vladivostok in September 2019, underpinning how Russia is one of the pivots of Modi's foreign policy outreach. The two leaders noted that the USD 25 billion bilateral trade target by 2025 has already been achieved. They further decided to hold the 1st bilateral regional forum between Russian Provinces and the Indian States in 2020, to do away with the trade barriers at the regional level. Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the potential of the Arctic region in natural gas and invited India to invest in the region. The leaders also reviewed the progress made in the Infrastructure sector, especially railways including raising the speed of the Nagpur-Secunderabad sector railway line. The leaders further noted cooperation between India and Russia in the Defence sector and Civil Nuclear Energy. Prime Minister Modi accepted the Russian President’s invitation to participate in Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in 2020. In the final analysis, BRICS 2019 focussed on strengthening cooperation in the fields of science, technology, innovation and the digital economy. The annual summit also aimed to advance cooperation in the fight against transnational crime, especially organized crime, money laundering and drug trafficking. Euro-Atlantic powers realize that India’s close relationship with the US and commitment to a liberal global order is what prevents BRICS from becoming a divisive, illiberal anti-Western coalition, led by Russian muscle power and Chinese money power. For instance, were Modi to boycott the Xiamen summit in 2017, amidst the Doklam standoff then, it would have been the death knell of BRICS, reducing this grouping to an incoherent bunch of expansionist powers like Russia and China on the one hand and tottering economies like Brazil and South Africa on the other. Brazil and South Africa, which in the last few years have wandered aimlessly from one domestic economic crisis to another have increasingly started looking at South Block to enhance bilateral cooperation to prevent further marginalisation. BRICS, which in many ways is redefining multilateralism and multiculturalism, has emerged as a template for cooperation between emerging powers and a useful instrument for India to fight the agenda-setting monopoly of Atlantic powers, in its quest for a greater role in global governance. Above all, if BRICS has furthered the cause of a multipolar world, the credit for this unarguably goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy outreach that is both inclusive and global in its approach, but with "India first", being the guiding diktat. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

BRICS: PM Narendra Modi’s foreign policy pivot

September 22, 2019, is an inflection point in the long journey of the Indian diaspora. #HowdyModi is a first in many ways for its sheer scale and impact.&nbsp;

For the first time in recent history, a bipartisan array of lawmakers and the President of the United States of America were being hosted on their own soil by a foreign leader at a public event.&nbsp;

At 31 million, People of Indian Origin (PIO) constitute one of the - if not the largest - diasporas in the world. Due to internal fragmentation, it has remained largely only on paper, and never fulfilled its political potential.&nbsp;

Globally through his community events, Modi has been able to bring the diaspora together like never before. Through the power of their numbers and achievements, and his personal charisma, Modi has made the Indian diaspora a force to reckon with.&nbsp;

But political power is the first step. India should leverage the potential of the diaspora further and engage them in her growth story.

The Indian diaspora is globally respected as a law-abiding and professionally successful people. Through their grit and hard work, many of them have gone on to become the heads of state, CEOs of large corporations, award-winning scientists, etc. They contribute about 3 per cent of India’s GDP through their remittances.&nbsp;

Other than inviting investments and remittances, India is yet to engage their expertise back home yet. We are underutilising the potential of our diaspora. &nbsp;The first step of uniting them and connecting them emotionally back to the Indian growth story has been achieved. It is time for the next step, to engage their functional expertise.

One institutional method of engaging the Indian diaspora would be to create an elected shadow Cabinet, which would support the Indian Cabinet ministers through their domain expertise.&nbsp;

This shadow Cabinet can be elected globally through an online voting process. There can be specific shadow Cabinet ministers based on functional expertise - science and technology, space, commerce and industry, tourism, new and renewable energy, electronics and information technology and shipping, among others.

Another deeper institutional engagement is to have the diaspora’s representation in the Indian Parliament itself. At the current numbers of 31 million PIOs, we could perhaps think of adding a few ‘diaspora seats’ in the Lok Sabha (with lesser powers than the domestic representatives).&nbsp;

Alternatively, India can constitute a third house in the Parliament with its own mandate, say a ‘Pravasi Sabha’. The sabha can be elected by PIOs in pre-defined constituencies globally via online voting. They can meet annually, rather than as per the current schedule of the Parliament. &nbsp;There are obvious concerns about undue foreign influence in sovereign legislation. These concerns can be addressed and avoided if India legislates the mandate of the Pravasi parliamentarians carefully - giving them enough opportunity to support, but not powers that lead to unwanted lobbying of foreign interests.&nbsp;

Just like companies have different classes of shares that define their powers, Pravasi sabha is not equivalent to other houses. &nbsp;The Indian diaspora can be trusted to perform a constructive role through its representation in the Parliament. This is not just an enabler, but a testimony of the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam.

Given the excitement of the Indian diaspora to contribute back to their home country, this would offer them an unprecedented opportunity at the highest level.&nbsp;

India would, in turn, be able to engage the best talent globally in its growth story. It is a win-win for all parties. The diaspora, which was once ignored and fragmented, can become a potent force for India.&nbsp;

Such a tricameral house will be a first in the world. India’s unique strength to conceive and implement this lies in the large population of its diaspora and a deep connection with their motherland that has been brought to the forefront under Prime Minister Modi, who has to his credit many firsts, whether domestic or foreign. This foreign policy innovation of engaging diaspora back with the motherland through the Parliament will perhaps be the most innovative of them all. 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-diaspora-in-parliament-an-idea-whose-time-has-come-2795692">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

September 22, 2019, is an inflection point in the long journey of the Indian diaspora. #HowdyModi is a first in many ways for its sheer scale and impact. For the first time in recent history, a bipartisan array of lawmakers and the President of the United States of America were being hosted on their own soil by a foreign leader at a public event.

September 22, 2019, is an inflection point in the long journey of the Indian diaspora. #HowdyModi is a first in many ways for its sheer scale and impact. For the first time in recent history, a bipartisan array of lawmakers and the President of the United States of America were being hosted on their own soil by a foreign leader at a public event. At 31 million, People of Indian Origin (PIO) constitute one of the - if not the largest - diasporas in the world. Due to internal fragmentation, it has remained largely only on paper, and never fulfilled its political potential. Globally through his community events, Modi has been able to bring the diaspora together like never before. Through the power of their numbers and achievements, and his personal charisma, Modi has made the Indian diaspora a force to reckon with. But political power is the first step. India should leverage the potential of the diaspora further and engage them in her growth story. The Indian diaspora is globally respected as a law-abiding and professionally successful people. Through their grit and hard work, many of them have gone on to become the heads of state, CEOs of large corporations, award-winning scientists, etc. They contribute about 3 per cent of India’s GDP through their remittances. Other than inviting investments and remittances, India is yet to engage their expertise back home yet. We are underutilising the potential of our diaspora. The first step of uniting them and connecting them emotionally back to the Indian growth story has been achieved. It is time for the next step, to engage their functional expertise. One institutional method of engaging the Indian diaspora would be to create an elected shadow Cabinet, which would support the Indian Cabinet ministers through their domain expertise. This shadow Cabinet can be elected globally through an online voting process. There can be specific shadow Cabinet ministers based on functional expertise - science and technology, space, commerce and industry, tourism, new and renewable energy, electronics and information technology and shipping, among others. Another deeper institutional engagement is to have the diaspora’s representation in the Indian Parliament itself. At the current numbers of 31 million PIOs, we could perhaps think of adding a few ‘diaspora seats’ in the Lok Sabha (with lesser powers than the domestic representatives). Alternatively, India can constitute a third house in the Parliament with its own mandate, say a ‘Pravasi Sabha’. The sabha can be elected by PIOs in pre-defined constituencies globally via online voting. They can meet annually, rather than as per the current schedule of the Parliament. There are obvious concerns about undue foreign influence in sovereign legislation. These concerns can be addressed and avoided if India legislates the mandate of the Pravasi parliamentarians carefully - giving them enough opportunity to support, but not powers that lead to unwanted lobbying of foreign interests. Just like companies have different classes of shares that define their powers, Pravasi sabha is not equivalent to other houses. The Indian diaspora can be trusted to perform a constructive role through its representation in the Parliament. This is not just an enabler, but a testimony of the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam. Given the excitement of the Indian diaspora to contribute back to their home country, this would offer them an unprecedented opportunity at the highest level. India would, in turn, be able to engage the best talent globally in its growth story. It is a win-win for all parties. The diaspora, which was once ignored and fragmented, can become a potent force for India. Such a tricameral house will be a first in the world. India’s unique strength to conceive and implement this lies in the large population of its diaspora and a deep connection with their motherland that has been brought to the forefront under Prime Minister Modi, who has to his credit many firsts, whether domestic or foreign. This foreign policy innovation of engaging diaspora back with the motherland through the Parliament will perhaps be the most innovative of them all. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Diaspora in Parliament: An idea whose time has come

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath called on Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/economic-woes-pm-narendra-modi-should-continue-to-focus-on-clarity-and-stability-in-policymaking-253452">Narendra Modi</a> here on Friday and sought centres help in the backdrop of "estimated loss amounting to worth Rs 16000 crores" due to incessant rain lashing the state.

"I discussed with Prime Minister about the excessive rainfall in the state due to which loss worth approximately Rs 16,000 crore is incurred," said Kamal Nath.

"Farmers have been badly hit and their crops have been lost, roads are damaged, there is a loss to buildings and other infrastructure," added Kamal Nath.

"The production of soya-bean, corn and cotton will be drastically reduced. He assured that he will think over it," he added.

Kamal Nath also said that he has been assured by the Prime Minister of a survey to be conducted for estimating the loses.

"He said that a survey would be conducted again to estimate the losses. The rains never stopped. We have also submitted the report of our survey," he said.

Heavy rainfall and flood have lashed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-meteorological-department-predicts-heavy-rainfall-over-east-rajasthan-west-madhya-pradesh-252965">Madhya Pradesh</a> this year causing widespread damage to crops and taking a toll on human lives.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Friday and sought centres help in the backdrop of "estimated loss amounting to worth Rs 16000 crores" due to incessant rain lashing the state.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Friday and sought centres help in the backdrop of "estimated loss amounting to worth Rs 16000 crores" due to incessant rain lashing the state. "I discussed with Prime Minister about the excessive rainfall in the state due to which loss worth approximately Rs 16,000 crore is incurred," said Kamal Nath. "Farmers have been badly hit and their crops have been lost, roads are damaged, there is a loss to buildings and other infrastructure," added Kamal Nath. "The production of soya-bean, corn and cotton will be drastically reduced. He assured that he will think over it," he added. Kamal Nath also said that he has been assured by the Prime Minister of a survey to be conducted for estimating the loses. "He said that a survey would be conducted again to estimate the losses. The rains never stopped. We have also submitted the report of our survey," he said. Heavy rainfall and flood have lashed Madhya Pradesh this year causing widespread damage to crops and taking a toll on human lives.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath calls on PM Modi, seeks centres help for flood and rain relief

With a number of events lined up across the nation, India will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its Gandhi Sankalp Yatra by a period of three months, according to a circular issued to the party leaders. As per the circular sent to the leaders, the Yatra will now be a 120-day exercise and will end on January 31, 2020, instead of October. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held between October 2 and 31.

Under this, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/article-370-was-temporary-from-the-beginning-says-bjp-working-president-jp-nadda-252950">BJP </a>is planning to propagate Gandhi's ideals and principles of non-violence, Swaraj and simplicity to mark his 150th birth anniversary. Posters, banners, and kits for the programs to be held during the yatra will be directly sent to the state units from the party headquarters.

According to the circular, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/modi-true-global-gatekeeper-253059">Narendra Modi</a> will kick-off this programme from Gujarat, simultaneously, with the other top leaders from the party who will start it from the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. All the party's Lok Sabha MPs have been instructed to be in their respective constituencies on October 2 for the start of the program.

Prime Minister Modi will pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Later in the day, he will also visit Sabarmati Ashram and participate in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2019 program, according to a post on the official Twitter handle of BJP.

Earlier, while talking to ANI, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India has almost achieved the open defecation free (ODF) target and hoped that Prime Minister will declare India open defecation free today.

On Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by taking up the Swachh Bharat Mission as a movement.

"By taking up the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' as a movement, the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation. Our nation's emphasis on inclusive growth, transparency, and honesty in public life, health-care support to the poor and farmers and effective utilization of water resources is in keeping with his thoughts," Kovind said.

BJP president Amit Shah will launch the ruling party's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in New Delhi.

On the other hand, Congress will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today by taking out "padayatra" across the country with senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi taking part in the march in New Delhi.

The march in the national capital will start from Delhi Pradesh Congress office and culminate at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Congress President Sonia Gandhi will administer an oath to leaders and workers "to redeem Gandhi, Gandhism and Gandhi's India".

Besides this, there are several events lined up to take place across the country.

To mark the special occasion, AIM, NITI Aayog's Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and UNICEF India, including Generation Unlimited, have launched 'The Gandhian Challenge'. This innovation challenge provides a platform for every child across India to ideate innovative solutions for a sustainable India of their dreams, using Gandhi's principles.

The winners of 'The Gandhian Challenge' will be awarded in New Delhi by NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission and UNICEF on the occasion of Children's Day in November.

Several photo exhibitions have been organized in different cities to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

Vistara is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a unique way with customers aboard select flights on October 2.

They will be invited to be part of the airline's initiative 'BE THE CHANGE @ 30,000 FEET' and write about a social change that they feel passionately about on a simple postcard, as per a company release.

With a number of events lined up across the nation, India will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its Gandhi Sankalp Yatra by a period of three months, according to a circular issued to the party leaders.

With a number of events lined up across the nation, India will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its Gandhi Sankalp Yatra by a period of three months, according to a circular issued to the party leaders. As per the circular sent to the leaders, the Yatra will now be a 120-day exercise and will end on January 31, 2020, instead of October. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held between October 2 and 31. Under this, the BJP is planning to propagate Gandhi's ideals and principles of non-violence, Swaraj and simplicity to mark his 150th birth anniversary. Posters, banners, and kits for the programs to be held during the yatra will be directly sent to the state units from the party headquarters. According to the circular, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick-off this programme from Gujarat, simultaneously, with the other top leaders from the party who will start it from the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. All the party's Lok Sabha MPs have been instructed to be in their respective constituencies on October 2 for the start of the program. Prime Minister Modi will pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Later in the day, he will also visit Sabarmati Ashram and participate in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2019 program, according to a post on the official Twitter handle of BJP. Earlier, while talking to ANI, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India has almost achieved the open defecation free (ODF) target and hoped that Prime Minister will declare India open defecation free today. On Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by taking up the Swachh Bharat Mission as a movement. "By taking up the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' as a movement, the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation. Our nation's emphasis on inclusive growth, transparency, and honesty in public life, health-care support to the poor and farmers and effective utilization of water resources is in keeping with his thoughts," Kovind said. BJP president Amit Shah will launch the ruling party's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in New Delhi. On the other hand, Congress will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today by taking out "padayatra" across the country with senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi taking part in the march in New Delhi. The march in the national capital will start from Delhi Pradesh Congress office and culminate at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Congress President Sonia Gandhi will administer an oath to leaders and workers "to redeem Gandhi, Gandhism and Gandhi's India". Besides this, there are several events lined up to take place across the country. To mark the special occasion, AIM, NITI Aayog's Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and UNICEF India, including Generation Unlimited, have launched 'The Gandhian Challenge'. This innovation challenge provides a platform for every child across India to ideate innovative solutions for a sustainable India of their dreams, using Gandhi's principles. The winners of 'The Gandhian Challenge' will be awarded in New Delhi by NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission and UNICEF on the occasion of Children's Day in November. Several photo exhibitions have been organized in different cities to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. Vistara is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a unique way with customers aboard select flights on October 2. They will be invited to be part of the airline's initiative 'BE THE CHANGE @ 30,000 FEET' and write about a social change that they feel passionately about on a simple postcard, as per a company release.

India celebrates 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today

At least 21&nbsp;people have died in Gujarat's northern Banaskantha district on Monday.

According to reports, a bus carrying 40-50 people returning from a temple visit overturned near Trishuliya Ghat in Gujarat's Banaskantha.

Rescue operations have been launched at the spot. The injured passengers are being rushed to the nearest hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his tweet that the local administration is providing help to the injured people.

''Devastating news from Banaskantha. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an accident. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. The local administration is providing all possible help to the injured. May they recover soon,'' PM Modi tweeted.

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Devastating news from Banaskantha. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an accident. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. 
 
The local administration is providing all possible help to the injured. May they recover soon.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1178666831332003840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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At least 21 people have died in Gujarat's northern Banaskantha district on Monday. According to reports, a bus carrying 40-50 people returning from a temple visit overturned near Trishuliya Ghat in Gujarat's Banaskantha.

At least 21 people have died in Gujarat's northern Banaskantha district on Monday. According to reports, a bus carrying 40-50 people returning from a temple visit overturned near Trishuliya Ghat in Gujarat's Banaskantha. Rescue operations have been launched at the spot. The injured passengers are being rushed to the nearest hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his tweet that the local administration is providing help to the injured people. ''Devastating news from Banaskantha. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an accident. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. The local administration is providing all possible help to the injured. May they recover soon,'' PM Modi tweeted. Devastating news from Banaskantha. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an accident. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. The local administration is providing all possible help to the injured. May they recover soon. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 30, 2019 ×

At least 21 dead after bus overturns in Gujarat's Banaskantha district

To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-vows-to-take-strategic-partnership-with-pacific-island-states-to-new-heights-251857">Narendra Modi</a> on Tuesday called for increasing the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix during the India-Pacific Islands Developing States (PSIDS) Leaders' Meeting held on the sidelines of the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly here.

He also announced the allocation of $12 million grants ($1 million to each PSIDS) towards the implementation of high impact developmental project in the area of their choice.

"In addition, a concessional Line of Credit of $150 Million which can be availed by the PSIDS for undertaking solar, renewable energy and climate-related projects based on each country's requirement was announced," said the release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

This is the first time Prime Minister has met the leaders of the PSIDS on the margins of UNGA in plurilateral format.

The leaders deliberated on a wide range of issues including sharing of development experiences for the attainment of SDGs, enhancing cooperation in renewable energy, joining the newly launched Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, capacity building, implementation of projects under the India-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-gandhi-solar-park-at-un-headquarters-launches-commemorative-postage-stamp-251853">UN</a> Development Partnership Fund and a roadmap for future India-PSIDS cooperation, read the release.

It also added that during the first and second editions of the FIPIC summits in Fiji (2015) and Jaipur (2016), PM Modi expressed India's desire to be a close partner of the Pacific Islands nations and its readiness to work closely to advance their developmental agenda.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that India and the PSIDS have shared values and a shared future. Moreover, he highlighted the need for development policies to be inclusive and sustainable to reduce inequality and contribute to empowerment and improvement of the quality of people's lives.

"India is equally committed to tackling the impact of climate change and supports efforts of the PSIDs to achieve their developmental goals through necessary developmental and technical assistance," PM Modi said.

Adding that PM Modi has offered to organize a Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment Camp in a Pacific regional hub under 'India for Humanity' programme, the press release further stated that the Prime Minister also announced a Distinguished Visitors Programme under which eminent persons from these countries can visit India.

"India would also welcome the visit of a Parliamentarian delegation from the PICs to India. To continue High-Level engagement, PM extended an invitation to all the leaders for the 3rd FIPIC Summit to be held in Port Moresby in the first half of 2020," read the release.

The meeting was attended by the Heads of delegation of Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Independent State of Papua New Guinea, The Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu and Republic of Vanuatu.&nbsp;

To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for increasing the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix during the India-Pacific Islands Developing States (PSIDS) Leaders' Meeting held on the sidelines of the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly here.

To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for increasing the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix during the India-Pacific Islands Developing States (PSIDS) Leaders' Meeting held on the sidelines of the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly here. He also announced the allocation of $12 million grants ($1 million to each PSIDS) towards the implementation of high impact developmental project in the area of their choice. "In addition, a concessional Line of Credit of $150 Million which can be availed by the PSIDS for undertaking solar, renewable energy and climate-related projects based on each country's requirement was announced," said the release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. This is the first time Prime Minister has met the leaders of the PSIDS on the margins of UNGA in plurilateral format. The leaders deliberated on a wide range of issues including sharing of development experiences for the attainment of SDGs, enhancing cooperation in renewable energy, joining the newly launched Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, capacity building, implementation of projects under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and a roadmap for future India-PSIDS cooperation, read the release. It also added that during the first and second editions of the FIPIC summits in Fiji (2015) and Jaipur (2016), PM Modi expressed India's desire to be a close partner of the Pacific Islands nations and its readiness to work closely to advance their developmental agenda. The Prime Minister also emphasized that India and the PSIDS have shared values and a shared future. Moreover, he highlighted the need for development policies to be inclusive and sustainable to reduce inequality and contribute to empowerment and improvement of the quality of people's lives. "India is equally committed to tackling the impact of climate change and supports efforts of the PSIDs to achieve their developmental goals through necessary developmental and technical assistance," PM Modi said. Adding that PM Modi has offered to organize a Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment Camp in a Pacific regional hub under 'India for Humanity' programme, the press release further stated that the Prime Minister also announced a Distinguished Visitors Programme under which eminent persons from these countries can visit India. "India would also welcome the visit of a Parliamentarian delegation from the PICs to India. To continue High-Level engagement, PM extended an invitation to all the leaders for the 3rd FIPIC Summit to be held in Port Moresby in the first half of 2020," read the release. The meeting was attended by the Heads of delegation of Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Independent State of Papua New Guinea, The Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu and Republic of Vanuatu.

PM Modi calls for increasing share of renewable energy at PSIDS leaders' meet

'Howdy, Modi': Trump-Modi bonhomie reignited at Houston

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed star shuttler <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/whenever-i-lose-he-is-like-its-okay-well-try-next-time-pv-sindhu-on-coach-pullela-gopichand-245912">PV Sindhu</a> as 'India's&nbsp;pride' after she returned with the gold medal from the&nbsp;BWF World Championships.&nbsp;

Sindu defeated&nbsp;Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in the finals of the tournament to win the elusive medal on Sunday.&nbsp;

The 24-year-old badminton player brought glory to the nation as she became the first Indian to win gold at BWF World Championships.&nbsp;

"India's pride, a champion who has brought home a Gold and lots of glory! Happy to have met @Pvsindhu1. Congratulated her and wished her the very best for her future endeavours," PM Modi tweeted.&nbsp;

After her win, Sindhu arrived in India early Tuesday morning and was seen thanking fans for their support and said that she wished to win "many more medals for the country."

Sindhu also met Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju.

The minister presented the shuttler with a cheque of Rs 10 lakhs for winning a gold medal in BWF World Championships.

Watch: WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo talks about Sindhu's win

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Watch: Sindhu's exclusive chat with WION

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This is Sindhu's fifth world championship medal, two of them silvers and two of them bronze.&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed star shuttler PV Sindhu as 'India's pride' after she returned with the gold medal from the BWF World Championships. Sindu defeated Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in the finals of the tournament to win the elusive medal on Sunday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed star shuttler PV Sindhu as 'India's pride' after she returned with the gold medal from the BWF World Championships. Sindu defeated Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in the finals of the tournament to win the elusive medal on Sunday. The 24-year-old badminton player brought glory to the nation as she became the first Indian to win gold at BWF World Championships. "India's pride, a champion who has brought home a Gold and lots of glory! Happy to have met @Pvsindhu1. Congratulated her and wished her the very best for her future endeavours," PM Modi tweeted. After her win, Sindhu arrived in India early Tuesday morning and was seen thanking fans for their support and said that she wished to win "many more medals for the country." Sindhu also met Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju. The minister presented the shuttler with a cheque of Rs 10 lakhs for winning a gold medal in BWF World Championships. Watch: WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo talks about Sindhu's win × Watch: Sindhu's exclusive chat with WION × This is Sindhu's fifth world championship medal, two of them silvers and two of them bronze.

PM Modi meets PV Sindhu, calls her India's pride

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to have a pull-aside with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meet in Bangkok, Thailand. 
 
Jaishankar will be in Bangkok from August 1 to August 2 and will also participate in ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting, &nbsp;26th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) &amp; 10th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Ministerial Meeting.

Jaishankar-Pompeo pull aside will be the first high-level engagement between US and India since&nbsp;President Donald Trump's remarks on Kashmir.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump, a few weeks ago, had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for mediation in Kashmir issue.

This was dismissed by the Indian side. Jaioshankar had said that all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan are governed by Shimla and Lahore agreements under which no third party mediation will be allowed.&nbsp;

During the two-day visit, Jaishankar will "enumerate India's Indo-Pacific vision, which was elaborated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in June 2018", a ministry of external affairs release said. 
&nbsp; 
He will also meet the new British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the British envoy to India Dominic Asquith. He is expected to meet foreign minister of Sri Lanka, Tilak Marapana. 13 foreign ministers will be in Bangkok for the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meeting.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to have a pull-aside with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meet in Bangkok, Thailand.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to have a pull-aside with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meet in Bangkok, Thailand. Jaishankar will be in Bangkok from August 1 to August 2 and will also participate in ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting, 26th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) & 10th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Ministerial Meeting. Jaishankar-Pompeo pull aside will be the first high-level engagement between US and India since President Donald Trump's remarks on Kashmir. US President Donald Trump, a few weeks ago, had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for mediation in Kashmir issue. This was dismissed by the Indian side. Jaioshankar had said that all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan are governed by Shimla and Lahore agreements under which no third party mediation will be allowed. During the two-day visit, Jaishankar will "enumerate India's Indo-Pacific vision, which was elaborated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in June 2018", a ministry of external affairs release said. He will also meet the new British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the British envoy to India Dominic Asquith. He is expected to meet foreign minister of Sri Lanka, Tilak Marapana. 13 foreign ministers will be in Bangkok for the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meeting.

Foreign minister S Jaishankar likely to meet Mike Pompeo in Bangkok

With most minds focused on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s maiden Union Budget on July 5, it’s important to step back and review the Narendra Modi government’s policy priorities in its second term. &nbsp;

Modi spent much of his first term getting to grips with Delhi’s Byzantine politics. His welfare schemes have been successful and contributed significantly to the BJP’s landslide victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. &nbsp;

The mainstreaming of Hindutva by conflating it with nationalism (though the two are quite distinct) has given the BJP and its NDA allies a vice-like grip on around 45 per cent of the electorate. &nbsp;

The ground outreach of BJP and RSS cadre — right down to the booth level — promises to increase the party’s membership from 110 million today to 150 million by the 2024 Lok Sabha election. That’s nearly 25 per cent of all voters (610 million) who exercised their franchise in the 2019 general election. &nbsp;&nbsp;

If all of this points to a continuing BJP electoral juggernaut, the disarray within the Opposition further strengthens the prospect of BJP domination. Along with that domination comes the deification of Modi himself, the most powerful Indian mass leader since Indira Gandhi — without her dynastic lineage. &nbsp;

But just as the Congress’ sycophantic president Dev Kant Barooah declared in 1974 that “India is Indira and Indira is India”, the last thing a modern democracy needs is a replay of such sycophancy with the slogan “India is Modi and Modi is India.” Fortunately, Modi himself is shrewd enough to recognise the inherent dangers of such unbridled hero worship. He has the detachment of a monk though even monks can fall prey to relentless flattery.&nbsp;

Modi left home in 1967 at the age of 17. He wandered in the Himalayas for two years before returning home. Overjoyed to see him, his mother asked him to unpack his few belongings and settle down back home. A 19-year-old Modi sought her and his father Damodardas’ blessings before telling them that he had come home not to stay, but to pack his remaining personal effects and join the RSS for life. His parents could do nothing to change his mind.

It was 1969. For the next 18 years, Modi washed the clothes of RSS pracharaks, cleaned toilets and did other menial work. In 1987, the RSS sent him to join the BJP. Within 14 years, he was chief minister of Gujarat and 13 years later, prime minister. &nbsp;&nbsp;

It is important to understand this background to analyse what makes Modi tick, which economic and foreign policies he is likely to follow in his second term, and how his prime ministership will evolve over the next five years. &nbsp;

Modi’s conduct in Parliament since the Budget session began has been instructive. He has adopted a more conciliatory posture to the bedraggled Opposition. And yet, the Congress with its 52 MPs should be under no delusion that the Prime Minister has suddenly discovered a softer side to his political persona. Quite the contrary. Modi’s style is to often lull an opponent into a false sense of security before striking back hard. &nbsp;

The Congress, meanwhile, is repeating the mistakes that have haunted it for years: not trusting senior non-Gandhi Congress leaders enough to give them key positions in the party. In 2014, it appointed the nondescript Mallikarjun Kharge as leader of the party in the Lok Sabha. He posed no future threat to the Gandhis and owed his position to that singular quality of facelessness. &nbsp;

The Congress’ choice of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury as its leader in the current Lok Sabha follows the same pattern: promote a leader who poses no future threat to the party’s Gandhi dynasty. Had a Shashi Tharoor or Manish Tewari been chosen, their articulate performance would have made even the Congress faithful think: Well, there are competent alternative leaders beyond the Gandhi family after all. Such subversive thinking frightens the Gandhis, which is why a Tharoor or a Tewari is kept firmly in his place as a cheerleader of Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, never an alternative leader of the Congress. And knowing their place in the Congress’ hierarchy, the Tharoors and Tewaris to their everlasting discredit fall obediently into place. &nbsp;

Modi though has other things to worry about than the dysfunctional Congress. The economy needs revival, jobs need to be created, over-regulation must be curbed and security challenges met. &nbsp;

A key task for Modi will be to rebuild trust in institutions and make good his 2014 pledge of minimum government, maximum governance. Far more lateral talent needs to be inducted into the government. Ministers must be encouraged to speak up on the progress of their departments. The impression that this is a two-man Modi-Shah government is not healthy for a democracy. &nbsp;

Modi himself recently declared that India needs a strong Opposition. Without one, democracy atrophies. And that poses a challenge for all, including the BJP. Anti-incumbency in 2024 will be stronger than most imagine. The idea that Modi will be Prime Minister for 15 years does Modi more harm than good. In politics, goodwill is a precious commodity. But like all commodities, its value can fall as rapidly as it rises. That is a lesson a teenage Modi absorbed while wandering in the Himalayas. It is unlikely he has forgotten it.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-beware-of-modi-is-india-trap-2767874">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

With most minds focused on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s maiden Union Budget on July 5, it’s important to step back and review the Narendra Modi government’s policy priorities in its second term.

With most minds focused on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s maiden Union Budget on July 5, it’s important to step back and review the Narendra Modi government’s policy priorities in its second term. Modi spent much of his first term getting to grips with Delhi’s Byzantine politics. His welfare schemes have been successful and contributed significantly to the BJP’s landslide victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The mainstreaming of Hindutva by conflating it with nationalism (though the two are quite distinct) has given the BJP and its NDA allies a vice-like grip on around 45 per cent of the electorate. The ground outreach of BJP and RSS cadre — right down to the booth level — promises to increase the party’s membership from 110 million today to 150 million by the 2024 Lok Sabha election. That’s nearly 25 per cent of all voters (610 million) who exercised their franchise in the 2019 general election. If all of this points to a continuing BJP electoral juggernaut, the disarray within the Opposition further strengthens the prospect of BJP domination. Along with that domination comes the deification of Modi himself, the most powerful Indian mass leader since Indira Gandhi — without her dynastic lineage. But just as the Congress’ sycophantic president Dev Kant Barooah declared in 1974 that “India is Indira and Indira is India”, the last thing a modern democracy needs is a replay of such sycophancy with the slogan “India is Modi and Modi is India.” Fortunately, Modi himself is shrewd enough to recognise the inherent dangers of such unbridled hero worship. He has the detachment of a monk though even monks can fall prey to relentless flattery. Modi left home in 1967 at the age of 17. He wandered in the Himalayas for two years before returning home. Overjoyed to see him, his mother asked him to unpack his few belongings and settle down back home. A 19-year-old Modi sought her and his father Damodardas’ blessings before telling them that he had come home not to stay, but to pack his remaining personal effects and join the RSS for life. His parents could do nothing to change his mind. It was 1969. For the next 18 years, Modi washed the clothes of RSS pracharaks, cleaned toilets and did other menial work. In 1987, the RSS sent him to join the BJP. Within 14 years, he was chief minister of Gujarat and 13 years later, prime minister. It is important to understand this background to analyse what makes Modi tick, which economic and foreign policies he is likely to follow in his second term, and how his prime ministership will evolve over the next five years. Modi’s conduct in Parliament since the Budget session began has been instructive. He has adopted a more conciliatory posture to the bedraggled Opposition. And yet, the Congress with its 52 MPs should be under no delusion that the Prime Minister has suddenly discovered a softer side to his political persona. Quite the contrary. Modi’s style is to often lull an opponent into a false sense of security before striking back hard. The Congress, meanwhile, is repeating the mistakes that have haunted it for years: not trusting senior non-Gandhi Congress leaders enough to give them key positions in the party. In 2014, it appointed the nondescript Mallikarjun Kharge as leader of the party in the Lok Sabha. He posed no future threat to the Gandhis and owed his position to that singular quality of facelessness. The Congress’ choice of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury as its leader in the current Lok Sabha follows the same pattern: promote a leader who poses no future threat to the party’s Gandhi dynasty. Had a Shashi Tharoor or Manish Tewari been chosen, their articulate performance would have made even the Congress faithful think: Well, there are competent alternative leaders beyond the Gandhi family after all. Such subversive thinking frightens the Gandhis, which is why a Tharoor or a Tewari is kept firmly in his place as a cheerleader of Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, never an alternative leader of the Congress. And knowing their place in the Congress’ hierarchy, the Tharoors and Tewaris to their everlasting discredit fall obediently into place. Modi though has other things to worry about than the dysfunctional Congress. The economy needs revival, jobs need to be created, over-regulation must be curbed and security challenges met. A key task for Modi will be to rebuild trust in institutions and make good his 2014 pledge of minimum government, maximum governance. Far more lateral talent needs to be inducted into the government. Ministers must be encouraged to speak up on the progress of their departments. The impression that this is a two-man Modi-Shah government is not healthy for a democracy. Modi himself recently declared that India needs a strong Opposition. Without one, democracy atrophies. And that poses a challenge for all, including the BJP. Anti-incumbency in 2024 will be stronger than most imagine. The idea that Modi will be Prime Minister for 15 years does Modi more harm than good. In politics, goodwill is a precious commodity. But like all commodities, its value can fall as rapidly as it rises. That is a lesson a teenage Modi absorbed while wandering in the Himalayas. It is unlikely he has forgotten it. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

How Narendra Modi's prime ministership will evolve over the next five years

Ahead of the maiden budget of his second term in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday brainstormed with top bureaucrats of finance and other ministries to finalise the government's 100-day agenda with a focus to revive the sagging economy and create jobs.

Sources said the meeting at the Prime Minister's residence had in attendance all five secretaries in the finance ministry and other key ministries as well as top officials of the Niti Aayog.

The high-level meeting is also expected to clear a five-year vision for the government with a view to achieving a $5-trillion economy goal in the shortest possible time-frame.

It is believed that future course of many of the prime minister's pet projects like doubling farmers' income, PM-KISAN, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, piped water for all, electricity for all and others was discussed.

With the farm sector facing headwinds, Modi last week stressed upon the need for structural reforms in agriculture which would boost private investment, strengthen logistics and provide ample market support to farmers.

The prime minister is likely to have discussed the road map for reforms for every department with a view to making it easier to do business in the country and boost the economy.

The agenda for increasing revenue mop-up and taking reform steps to push GDP growth, which has slipped to a 5-year low of 6.8 per cent in 2018-19, may have also figured in the meeting, they said.

Data showed that even though inflation continued to be within the RBI's comfort range, economic growth in January-March quarter slumped to a 5-year low of 5.8 per cent, pushing India behind China, due to a poor showing by agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

With 2019-20 budget scheduled to be presented on July 5, Modi has started holding deliberations with topmost bureaucrats for ideas, which could form part of the Budget.

While steps to promote investments in manufacturing would be high on the agenda, the Modi 2.0 government would also look at steps to address agriculture distress and improve farm income in the upcoming Budget.

The Budget, which would be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is expected to address issues like the slowing economy, financial sector troubles like rising

NPAs and liquidity crisis in NBFCs, job creation, private investments, exports revival, agrarian crisis, besides raising public investment without compromising on fiscal prudence.

In their pre-budget meeting with Sitharaman last week, economists suggested Insolvency &amp; Bankruptcy Code (IBC)-type framework for NBFC sector, besides initiating job-oriented growth measures and maintaining fiscal prudence. Financial sector on their part pitched for a special liquidity window for non-banking finance companies.

Labour survey report released officially last month showed unemployment touched a 45-year high of 6.1 per cent in 2017-18.&nbsp;

Ahead of the maiden budget of his second term in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday brainstormed with top bureaucrats of finance and other ministries to finalise the government's 100-day agenda with a focus to revive the sagging economy and create jobs.

Ahead of the maiden budget of his second term in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday brainstormed with top bureaucrats of finance and other ministries to finalise the government's 100-day agenda with a focus to revive the sagging economy and create jobs. Sources said the meeting at the Prime Minister's residence had in attendance all five secretaries in the finance ministry and other key ministries as well as top officials of the Niti Aayog. The high-level meeting is also expected to clear a five-year vision for the government with a view to achieving a $5-trillion economy goal in the shortest possible time-frame. It is believed that future course of many of the prime minister's pet projects like doubling farmers' income, PM-KISAN, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, piped water for all, electricity for all and others was discussed. With the farm sector facing headwinds, Modi last week stressed upon the need for structural reforms in agriculture which would boost private investment, strengthen logistics and provide ample market support to farmers. The prime minister is likely to have discussed the road map for reforms for every department with a view to making it easier to do business in the country and boost the economy. The agenda for increasing revenue mop-up and taking reform steps to push GDP growth, which has slipped to a 5-year low of 6.8 per cent in 2018-19, may have also figured in the meeting, they said. Data showed that even though inflation continued to be within the RBI's comfort range, economic growth in January-March quarter slumped to a 5-year low of 5.8 per cent, pushing India behind China, due to a poor showing by agriculture and manufacturing sectors. With 2019-20 budget scheduled to be presented on July 5, Modi has started holding deliberations with topmost bureaucrats for ideas, which could form part of the Budget. While steps to promote investments in manufacturing would be high on the agenda, the Modi 2.0 government would also look at steps to address agriculture distress and improve farm income in the upcoming Budget. The Budget, which would be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is expected to address issues like the slowing economy, financial sector troubles like rising NPAs and liquidity crisis in NBFCs, job creation, private investments, exports revival, agrarian crisis, besides raising public investment without compromising on fiscal prudence. In their pre-budget meeting with Sitharaman last week, economists suggested Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC)-type framework for NBFC sector, besides initiating job-oriented growth measures and maintaining fiscal prudence. Financial sector on their part pitched for a special liquidity window for non-banking finance companies. Labour survey report released officially last month showed unemployment touched a 45-year high of 6.1 per cent in 2017-18.

PM Modi meets key secretaries to finalise 100-day agenda

The Bharatiya Janata Party has said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/leaders-who-dont-keep-promise-get-beaten-up-by-people-nitin-gadkari-193233">sapne</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/leaders-who-dont-keep-promise-get-beaten-up-by-people-nitin-gadkari-193233"> </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/leaders-who-dont-keep-promise-get-beaten-up-by-people-nitin-gadkari-193233">dikhaane</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/leaders-who-dont-keep-promise-get-beaten-up-by-people-nitin-gadkari-193233"> </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/leaders-who-dont-keep-promise-get-beaten-up-by-people-nitin-gadkari-193233">waale</a>" comment was aimed at the Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi, and not Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

The BJP's GVL Narasimha Rao said Gadkari's comments were being "twisted and political benefit being taken out of it".&nbsp;

"He (Gadkari) was hinting towards Congress that only gave slogans of 'Garibi Hatao' but didn't do anything for poverty alleviation and towards Rahul Gandhi who makes empty promises," Rao said.&nbsp;

“Sapne dikhane waale neta logon ko acche lagte hain, par dikhaye hue sapne agar pure nahi kiye to janta unki pitayi bhi karti hai (People like politicians who show them dreams. But if those dreams are not fulfilled, then the people also thrash those politicians),” Gadkari had said on Sunday.&nbsp;

“Isliye sapne wahi dikhao jo pure ho sakein. Main sapne dikhane waale mein se nahi hu. Main jo bolta hu, woh 100 per cent danke ki chot par pura hota hai (That is why you must only show those dreams that can be fulfilled. I am not among those who show dreams. Whatever I say, I fulfill it 100 per cent),” Gadkari had added.&nbsp;

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N Gadkari: Sapne dikhane waale neta logon ko acche lagte hain,par dikhaye hue sapne agar pure nahi kiye to janta unki pitayi bhi karti hai.Isliye sapne wahi dikhao jo pure ho sakein....Mai sapne dikhane waale mein se nahi hu.Mai jo bolta hu wo 100% danke ki chot par pura hota hai <a href="https://t.co/SRISZyCffS">pic.twitter.com/SRISZyCffS</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1089502342460915714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP: Nitin Gadkari's comments are now being twisted&amp;political benefit being taken out of it. He was hinting towards Congress that only gave slogans of 'Garibi Hatao' but didn't do anything for poverty alleviation &amp; towards Rahul Gandhi who makes empty promises <a href="https://t.co/KcGdeI2RN1">pic.twitter.com/KcGdeI2RN1</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1089760431554613249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Gadkari made his comments in Mumbai while addressing a gathering to launch a new BJP-affiliated transport outfit — the Navbhartiya Shiv Vahatuk Sanghathana (NSVS).&nbsp;

Speculation has been rife ever since that he was talking about Modi. Most commentators agree that Modi has been able to deliver less in his four-and-a-half years in power than he promised before the 2014 elections.&nbsp;

Gadkari, who is a Sangh favourite, is often seen as a potential successor to Modi.&nbsp;

This is not the first time Gadkari — he is minister of road transport and highways, shipping and water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation — has made "uncomfortable" statements.&nbsp;

He had also said the BJP leadership should own up to the defeats in the Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh state elections. That was thought to be a barb aimed at Prime Minister Modi again and BJP president Amit Shah.&nbsp;

The Bharatiya Janata Party has said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's "sapne dikhaane waale" comment was aimed at the Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi, and not Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's "sapne dikhaane waale" comment was aimed at the Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi, and not Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP's GVL Narasimha Rao said Gadkari's comments were being "twisted and political benefit being taken out of it". "He (Gadkari) was hinting towards Congress that only gave slogans of 'Garibi Hatao' but didn't do anything for poverty alleviation and towards Rahul Gandhi who makes empty promises," Rao said. “Sapne dikhane waale neta logon ko acche lagte hain, par dikhaye hue sapne agar pure nahi kiye to janta unki pitayi bhi karti hai (People like politicians who show them dreams. But if those dreams are not fulfilled, then the people also thrash those politicians),” Gadkari had said on Sunday. “Isliye sapne wahi dikhao jo pure ho sakein. Main sapne dikhane waale mein se nahi hu. Main jo bolta hu, woh 100 per cent danke ki chot par pura hota hai (That is why you must only show those dreams that can be fulfilled. I am not among those who show dreams. Whatever I say, I fulfill it 100 per cent),” Gadkari had added. N Gadkari: Sapne dikhane waale neta logon ko acche lagte hain,par dikhaye hue sapne agar pure nahi kiye to janta unki pitayi bhi karti hai.Isliye sapne wahi dikhao jo pure ho sakein....Mai sapne dikhane waale mein se nahi hu.Mai jo bolta hu wo 100% danke ki chot par pura hota hai pic.twitter.com/SRISZyCffS — ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2019 × GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP: Nitin Gadkari's comments are now being twisted&political benefit being taken out of it. He was hinting towards Congress that only gave slogans of 'Garibi Hatao' but didn't do anything for poverty alleviation & towards Rahul Gandhi who makes empty promises pic.twitter.com/KcGdeI2RN1 — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2019 × Gadkari made his comments in Mumbai while addressing a gathering to launch a new BJP-affiliated transport outfit — the Navbhartiya Shiv Vahatuk Sanghathana (NSVS). Speculation has been rife ever since that he was talking about Modi. Most commentators agree that Modi has been able to deliver less in his four-and-a-half years in power than he promised before the 2014 elections. Gadkari, who is a Sangh favourite, is often seen as a potential successor to Modi. This is not the first time Gadkari — he is minister of road transport and highways, shipping and water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation — has made "uncomfortable" statements. He had also said the BJP leadership should own up to the defeats in the Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh state elections. That was thought to be a barb aimed at Prime Minister Modi again and BJP president Amit Shah.

Nitin Gadkari's 'sapne dikhane waale' comment: BJP says he was talking about Congress