‘India is not a football, it's an ally...': Ex-Pentagon official Michael Rubin on India-Canada ties
Washington, DC | On PM Modi, Former Pentagon official and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Michael Rubin, says, "...Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi's critics will acknowledge that he has grown tremendously in office and he's now one of the most influential statesmen not only in Asia but in the world. The fact of the matter is that this magnanimity is strategic and it also forces the Canadians to recognise that the problem all along was in Canada and not with India. So, kudos to Prime Minister Modi for this strategy and for rejoining and agreeing to go to Alberta and the fact of the matter is that a strong relationship between India and all of North America is within everybody's interests, especially given the rise of China"
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Business Standard
37 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Modi govt committed to providing 33% reservation to women: Gadkari
Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the Modi government was committed to providing 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, and it has taken a decision to that effect. Describing the 11 years of the Modi government as "very important" in the country's history, he said what failed to happen in the 60 years prior to that was achieved by the present dispensation cutting across sectors. Addressing a press conference in Nagpur on the completion of 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, he expressed confidence that the country's logistics cost will come down to 9 per cent by the end of this year, which will boost exports and help businesses and industries to grow. When asked about the issue of women's quota, Gadkari said, "It is our commitment to provide 33 per cent reservation to women and we have also taken a decision to that effect." In September 2023, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the women's reservation bill - Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam - which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. There are reports that the Modi government is likely to roll out 33 per cent reservation for women ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Talking about the achievements of the Modi government, Gadkari said the development of the country and the progress of villages, farmers, labourers and all sections of society in the past 11 years under the leadership of PM Modi is before everyone to see. "These 11 years are very important in the history of our country. The work which could not happen in 60 years of the Congress rule happened very effectively in all sectors in these last 11 years," Gadkari said. Highlighting the works carried out by the government, he said it prioritised development of power, transport, water and communication sectors. He cited a study conducted by IIM Bangalore, IIT Kanpur and IIT Chennai on road infrastructure development in the country, which stated that the logistics cost of the country which was 16 per cent earlier, has come down by 4 to 6 per cent to 10 per cent. He called it a good achievement and said it will help in the growth of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). "The logistics cost of our country was 16 per cent, while that of China was 8 per cent and America and European countries 12 per cent. As per the study, the logistics cost of the country has come down by 4 to 6 per cent, which means it decreased to 10 per cent from 16 per cent due to the work carried out in the road sector," he said. "Three to four years back, I had talked about bringing our logistics cost to a single digit and I believe that by December end (this year), the logistics cost will be 9 per cent which will boost our exports more and increase our business and industries," the minister said. Describing port connectivity as a very important factor and a growth engine for the country's development as imports and exports are linked to it, he said 111 port connectivity projects of Rs 75,000 crore and 2,700 km of length were currently either underway, completed and being planned. The faster the movement in ports the lesser the cost of transport, he said. "Our turnaround time for transportation has reduced by 30 to 40 per cent. Similarly, new satellites and dry ports have come up in the country, which has helped bring down the logistics cost," he said. Gadkari also said that his ministry carried out infrastructure development works of Rs 5 lakh crore in Maharashtra in the last 11 years. The Vadhavan port (being developed in Palghar district) will become the second largest container port in the world with proposed construction of an eight-lane road worth Rs 4,000 crore, he said. "The government brought changes in every sector in the country under the leadership of PM Modi and India will keep progressing in the years to come as well," he said. Gadkari also lauded the government for implementing various schemes, including the Jan Dhan Yojana, Har Ghar Jal Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, for the benefit of the poor in the country. When asked about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's letter to PM Modi in which he criticised the government for not talking about the present but selling dreams of 2047, Gadkari said, "The government is not showing dreams but talking about the works it has done..." In a lighter vein, the BJP leader said, "Why do you take Rahul ji seriously? Lots of people write letters to the PM.
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Canada visit by PM will provide platform to reset ties: MEA Spokesperson
New Delhi, June 12 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Canada to participate in G7 Summit, which is expected to provide a platform for discussing bilateral and global issues and potentially "reset" ties based on mutual respect, shared interests, and sensitivity to each other's concerns. Besides participating in the G7 Summit, Modi will have a bilateral meeting with his Canadian PM Mark Carney, which will offer an important opportunity for them to exchange views on bilateral and global issues and 'explore pathways to set or reset the relationship based on mutual respect, shared interest and sensitivity to each other's concerns'. This information was shared by External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during his weekly media briefing. He said that Prime Minister Modi had received a call from Canadian Prime Minister Carney last week, during which he extended an invitation to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Kananaskis. 'India and Canada are vibrant democracies, bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and strong people-to-people ties,' the spokesperson said. The forthcoming meeting is expected to provide a platform for discussing bilateral and global issues and potentially "reset" ties based on mutual respect, shared interests, and sensitivity to each other's concerns. New Delhi and Toronto have been witnessing a chill in bilateral relations over the last few years, mainly because of support provided to pro-Khalistani elements in Canada. 'Our views on some of these have already been shared publicly in considerable detail,' Jaiswal said. Replying to a question on reinstating expelled diplomats, Jaiswal emphasised that mechanisms for dialogue between Indian and Canadian law enforcement agencies are already in place and have been actively engaging on mutual security issues over time. This engagement, he said, is expected to continue. UNI RBE SSP
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
The priority of the Modi govt's four pillars is the poor, youth, farmers and women of developed India: MoS Home Nityanand Rai
Gaya (Bihar) [India], June 12 (ANI): Union Minister of State Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Thursday addressed a press Conference on the Occasion of the 11-year completion of the Modi Government in the Centre and highlighted the achievements made under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Rai said that the Modi government's priority has always been the four pillars of a developed India: the poor, youth, farmers, and women. MoS Home Nityanand Rai further said in a Press Conference that now, strict action will be taken against terrorist attacks like a war. Operation Sindoor has precisely hit the terrorist camps and airbases of Pakistan, which is a symbol of the new strength of the changing India. Pakistan has received a clear and strong message that terror, water and trade cannot go together. Blood and water cannot flow together. Any attack on Indian soil will be treated as an act of war. The 11 years of the Modi Government are about development and legacy. The Modi government means good governance and welfare of people with low incomes. India is creating a history of development and valour, in which Modi Ji's resolve, herculean efforts, and success are visible in the last 11 years,' Rai added. MoS Home Nityanand Raid further said that Swami Vivekananda had predicted that the 21st century would belong to India, where no one would be hungry, illiterate, or homeless. Swami Vivekananda's childhood name was Narendra; today, the name of India's Karmayogi Prime Minister is also Narendra. One, Narendra, made a prophecy; another is fulfilling it. Before 2014, the thinking of the Previous Congress government was 'It cannot happen,' and today, 'Modi hai toh Mumkin Hai.' The government is now responsive, accountable, and public participation-oriented, and the mantra is 'Reform, Perform, Transform,' he added. MoS Home further said that Under the Modi regime, several historic developments were made, including the removal of Article 370, the construction of Ram Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the Statue of Unity, Panchtirtha, and the National War Memorial, the honouring of heroes, the implementation of GST, and the coming into force of the Waqf Act. 'There has been a revolution in infrastructure under the leadership of Modi Ji. The Hon'ble Prime Minister inaugurated the world's tallest Chenab railway bridge. One hundred eleven waterways have been declared national waterways. 3600 km of high-speed corridor has been constructed,' he added. Rai further added that under the Modi government, 99% of villages have connectivity under the government. 34 km of highways have been constructed daily. The railway budget has increased 9 times. 136 Vande Bharat trains have been run.103 Amrut Bharat stations have been renovated. The number of airports has risen to 160 due to the Udan scheme, and air travel has become affordable. (ANI)
