Page 5 - Narendra Modi

PM Modi condoles death of ex-Suriname president Chandrikapersad Santokhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the death of former Suriname president Chandrikapersad Santokhi, saying his demise was not only an irreparable loss to his own country but also to the global Indian diaspora. Modi said Santokhi had a special fondness for Indian culture and won several hearts when he took oath in Sanskrit. "Deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of my friend and the former President of Suriname, Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi Ji. This is not only an irreparable loss to Suriname but also to the global Indian diaspora," he said in a message. The prime minister also fondly recalled his many meetings with Santokhi and said the Suriname leader's tireless service for his country and his efforts in strengthening India-Suriname relations were clearly reflected in their interactions. "I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Suriname in this hour of grief. Om Shanti," he said. Santokhi, 67, who was the president of Suriname fr

PM Modi, Dutch PM Rob Jetten discuss strategic ties in phone conversation

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on Monday held a phone conversation with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi that focused on boosting India-Netherlands strategic partnership including in areas of defence, innovation and trade. Jetten was sworn in as the prime minister of the Netherlands last month. He is the youngest leader to hold the top post in the European nation. It is learnt that the West Asia crisis and its economic impact figured in conversation between the two prime ministers. "Our ties with India are growing stronger and stronger. Earlier this year, the EU and India concluded a major trade agreement, and the Netherlands and India are developing a strategic partnership that includes defence, water management, innovation and trade," the Dutch leader said on social media. "With everything going on in the world at the moment, now is the time to strengthen our cooperation," he said. "Prime Minister @narendramodi of India and I discussed this in an introductory phone conversa

Assam saw long span of instability, but things changed in past decade: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Assam saw a long span of instability, but things changed in the past decade as the BJP's double-engine government made every effort to ensure peace in the state. Twelve peace agreements were signed by the government with different organisations in the northeast, Modi said while addressing the BJP's booth level workers in poll-bound Assam as part of the 'Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot Samvaad'. The initiative aimed at giving messages directly to party activists ahead of polls. The prime minister said BJP workers must remind people how the Congress "used to make agreements only on paper to create headlines and mislead people". "We have seen the era when Assam was burning in violence. Assam saw a long span of instability, but things have changed in the past decade. But today, we can see a new confidence as the BJP's double-engine government has made every effort for peace," he said. Under the Congress, peace agreements were pushed aside and the

HDFC Bank chairman's sudden exit exposes leadership rifts at top lender

HDFC Bank management and India's banking regulator denied any governance or financial problems at the lender, but its stock fell 12 per cent over three days after Chakraborty's exit

PM Modi praises J-K cricket team for historic maiden Ranji Trophy win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the cricket team of Jammu and Kashmir for bagging the Ranji Trophy title for the first time and expressed hope that this winning streak of sports persons there continues in the future. Addressing his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said March has been a month full of excitement and enthusiasm for cricket fans across the country. He said when India achieved a historic victory in the T20 World Cup, a wave of joy swept across the country and all citizens are very proud of the team's thumping success. Late last month, a thrilling match was witnessed in Karnataka's Hubli, where the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team secured the Ranji Trophy, he said. "It is most heartening to note that after a long wait of nearly seven decades, the team achieved its first Ranji Trophy title. This unprecedented success is the result of years of continuous efforts by the players," he added. Modi said the Jammu and Kashmir team captain, Paras Dogra, .

Sri Lankan President Dissanayake thanks PM Modi for fuel shipment

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending an oil shipment to ease the fuel supply disruptions in the Island nation caused by the West Asia conflict. A shipment of 38,000 MT of fuel, comprising 20,000 MT of diesel and 18,000 MT of petrol, arrived in Colombo on Saturday, as an emergency support through the local operation of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Lanka IOC (LIOC). "Spoke with PM @narendramodi a few days ago about the fuel supply disruptions Sri Lanka is facing due to the Middle East conflict. Grateful for India's swift support. 38,000 MT of fuel arrived in Colombo yesterday," Dissanayake posted on social media. The Sri Lankan President also thanked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for his support. "My thanks also to EAM @DrSJaishankar for his close coordination", he said. Earlier, Sri Lanka also held talks with Jaishankar to seek assistance on energy sustainability in view of the volatile situation i

Gulf nations prioritising safety of Indians in war zone: PM Modi in Keralam

PM Modi noted that many people from Keralam are working in the war-affected areas in the Gulf and the government is working to ensure that the impact of this war on India is minimised

Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi urges people to reduce sugar intake to avoid obesity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to reduce their sugar intake and cut down on cooking oil by 10 per cent, saying such small efforts will keep people away from obesity and lifestyle diseases. In his monthly radio address, 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said many people have commented on Instagram content creator Yuvraj Dua's post, in which he had requested the prime minister to ask his father to reduce his sugar intake. "I am happy that my request had a positive impact on his father. I would urge all of you to reduce your sugar intake, and as I have said earlier, we also need to cut down on cooking oil by 10 per cent. These small efforts will keep you away from obesity and lifestyle diseases," Modi said. The prime minister said he has always urged everyone to pay attention to fitness. "Now, less than 100 days are left for International Yoga Day; the attraction towards yoga is also rising continuously all over the world. Almis Ji is promoting yoga through his Arvind Yoga .

PM Modi to inaugurate semiconductor OSAT plant in Gujarat on March 31

With an investment of ₹3,300 crore, the project will further strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem in Gujarat's Sanand

West Asia war: PM Modi urges citizens not to be misled by misinformation

In Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi called on citizens to stay united and rely on official information amid ongoing West Asia conflict and energy crisis

PM inaugurates Noida airport, says it will drive growth in western UP

The Prime Minister positioned the Jewar airport as a key connectivity and economic hub for cities including Agra, Meerut, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, and Mathura

PM Modi to interact with NDA workers of Assam, Puducherry on Mar 30

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually interact with NDA workers of Assam and Puducherry on Monday as part of the 'Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot Samvaad' initiative aiming to give messages directly to them ahead of assembly elections there. Modi said people of Assam and Puducherry are going to bless the NDA governments again in the state and the Union Territory (UT) respectively. Assembly elections in Assam and Puducherry will be held on April 9. "Assam's progress in the last decade is for everyone to see. The state is known for its developmental strides across sectors. "That is why, Assam is clear -- it's NDA all the way. People are all set for five more years of the double-engine NDA government," Modi said. The prime minister said he will be taking part in 'Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot Samvaad - Assam' in the afternoon on March 30. About Puducherry, Modi said over the last five years, the double-engine NDA government in the UT has fulfilled the aspirations of the people there. "

PM Modi speaks to Saudi Prince, stresses need to keep shipping routes open

PM Modi stressed the need to keep shipping routes open and ensure freedom of navigation amid rising tensions in West Asia that have sent energy prices soaring

MEA denies report of Elon Musk joining Modi-Trump call on West Asia

On Friday, the NYT reported that the Tesla CEO joined the phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump that took place on Tuesday

India confronting West Asia conflict impact with full strength: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is confronting the challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia with full strength. Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, the Prime Minister asserted that the country is taking all necessary steps to safeguard its citizens. "Conflict has been ongoing in West Asia for over a month. India is confronting this challenge with full strength," Modi said. Highlighting that India depends on crude oil and gas from conflict-affected regions, Modi said: "The government is taking necessary steps to ensure the burden does not fall on families and farmers." Inaugurating the Noida International Airport, the prime minister said "Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the journey towards a Viksit Uttar Pradesh and a Viksit Bharat." Modi said the Noida International Airport would boost economic activity in the region. "Noida International Airport will create new opportunities for

PM Modi inaugurates Phase I of Noida International Airport in Jewar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Phase of the Noida International Airport, located in Jewar, on Saturday. PM was accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and other dignitaries. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place in view of the prime minister's visit. The first phase of the airport, developed at an estimated cost of Rs 11,200 crore, is envisioned as a multi-modal transport hub with seamless connectivity through road, rail, metro and regional transport systems. According to an official statement, the project includes a multi-modal cargo hub with an initial handling capacity of over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually, expandable to around 18 lakh metric tonnes. The statement added that the airport's initial passenger handling capacity will be 12 million passengers per annum (MPPA), scalable up to 70 million MPPA. The prime minister also inspected the terminal.

'All united on national interest': Tharoor stresses unity amid Iran crisis

Tharoor stressed the importance of cooperation between the Centre and states, emphasising mutual respect and federal collaboration in addressing challenges

'Eager to work closely' with India, advance ties: Nepal's new PM Balen Shah

In a post on X, Nepal PM's office said the PM was eager to work closely with PM Modi to advance the multifaceted relations between both countries

Tight security, jubilant crowd ahead of PM's Jewar airport inauguration

PM Modi will inaugurate the first phase of the airport, open the cargo terminal and lay the foundation stone for a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility

Elon Musk joined phone call with Trump, PM Modi on West Asia conflict

Billionaire Elon Musk joined the phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump earlier this week, the New York Times reported. Trump had called Modi to discuss the war with Iran on Tuesday, the first interaction between the two leaders since Israel and the US' military strikes on Iran began on February 28. "Elon Musk participated in a phone call on Tuesday with President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, an unusual appearance by a private citizen on a call between two heads of state during a wartime crisis," the New York Times reported quoting unnamed US officials. The report said the inclusion of Musk, confirmed by two US officials, suggests that the world's richest man is back on better terms with the president. Trump and Musk had a falling out last year following the billionaire's departure from the government, where he had been tasked with slashing the work force. The report said it is unclear why Musk was on the call or whether h