Tuesday, 27 January 2015

Text of PM’s statement after the relief operations review meeting in Cyclone-hit Vizag

PM Modi
परसों जो भयंकर cyclone आया, और उसके कारण आंध्र को और कुछ भाग में उड़ीसा को जो संकट झेलना पड़ा, अनेक लोगों को अपने प्राण खोने पड़े, इस कठिनाइयों से गुजरे हुए सभी नागरिक भाइयों-बहनों के प्रति मैं अपनी सहानुभूति प्रकट करता हूं। इस संकट के समय पूरा देश, भारत सरकार, आंध्र के साथ Vizag के लोगों के साथ पूरी ताकत से खडे हैं। आवश्यक सभी मदद भारत सरकार करेगी।
इस Cyclone में Technology का बहुत ही Perfect उपयोग हुआ, पहले दिन से ही। इस Cyclone में मौसम विभाग ने Technology का बखूबी उपयोग किया और 6 तारीख से ही ये संकेत दे दिए गए थे। जो अनुमान थे, उतनी ही Velocity रही। जो दिशा थी अनुमानित, वही दिशा रही। जो अनुमानित Time था, वही Time रहा। और एक प्रकार से इस संकट से बचने में ये Technology का उपयोग भी काफी काम आया।
PM Modi Waches

PM Modi Addresses
दूसरी सबसे महत्‍वपूर्ण बात हुई, जब केंद्र और राज्‍य, दोनों, कंधे-से-कंधा मिला करके काम करते हैं, सही दिशा में काम करते हैं, तो कितने बड़े संकट क्‍यों न हो, उन संकटों से उभरा जा सकता है। आंध्र Government और भारत सरकार ने 5 दिन लगातार minute-to-minute Perfect Co-ordination के साथ काम किया। Local Body ने भी उसको पूरी तरह Follow किया। मैं Vizag के नागरिकों का भी अभिनंदन करना चाहता हूं कि संकट के समय उन्‍होंने सरकार की सूचनाओं का पालन किया। पूरी तरह से discipline को माना, और उसके कारण लोगों की जिंदगी बचाने में हम सफल हुए। इन संकटों के बावजूद भी, यह एक भयंकर Cyclone था। आपने तो इसको खुद ही अनुभव किया है।
आपने जो धैर्य रखा…. और आज भी मैं बहुत दूर गया। मैंने हवाई निरीक्षण करके ओडि़शा का इलाका भी देखा आज। मैंने पहले कहा, उस प्रकार से भारत सरकार इस संकट के समय पूरी तरह आंध्र सरकार के साथ रहेगी। भारत सरकार के जो कई establishments हैं, उनका भी भारी नुकसान हुआ है। Coast guard हो, Navy हो, Railways, Airlines, National Highways, उन सबके लिए भी भारत सरकार की तरफ से लोग आएंगे, survey करेंगे और उसकी चिंता भी हम करेंगे।
PM Modi Speaks
अभी जितनी जानकारी मुझे मिली है, detailed survey भी हम करेंगे, भारत सरकार की भी team आएगी। किसानों का भी यह फसल का आखिरी समय था। इसलिए बहुत नुकसान उसके कारण किसानों का भी हुआ था। तो Agriculture survey, Property का जो नुकसान हुआ है, उसके लिए, मैं Insurance कंपनियों को भी सूचना करूंगा, वो तत्‍काल अपने लोग लगाएं। और Private Insurance वाले जो लोग हैं, उनके साथ बैठ करके सहानुभूतिपूर्वक उनकी सारी Claims को तुरंत workout करे, उनकी मदद करें। मैं Insurance Companies को भी आग्रहपूर्वक ये विषय बता दूंगा।
तत्‍काल जो अवस्था हैं, उसमें इतना बड़ा काम है। आंध्र प्रदेश एक तो नया-नया राज्‍य बना है। उसको अभी कई चीजें करनी बांकी है। ऐसे में इतना बड़ा संकट आया है। दूसरी तरफ, अभी 15 दिन पहले तो मैं इतना उत्‍साह और उमंग से उछल रहा था। Vizag को Smart City बनाने का सपना ले कर के। अचानक ये कसौटी आ गई है, लेकिन मुझे विश्‍वास है कि हम इस कसौटी से बाहर निकलेंगे। और बहुत ही जल्‍द सारी व्‍यवस्‍थाएं Normal हो जाएंगी और जो नुकसान हुआ, उसको भी ठीक करने में हम सफल हो जाएंगे। बिजली, पानी, Communication, इन चीजों को हमने प्राथमिकता दी है और कुछ ही घंटों में बहुत ही जल्‍द इन चीजों में सुधार आ जाएगा।
भारत सरकार के प्रतिनिधियों को मैंने Special इस काम के लिए depute किया है। आंध्र सरकार पूरी तरह लगी हुई है। तो जनसुविधा की जो प्राथमिक आवश्‍यकताएं हैं, वो भी तुरंत चालू कर दी जाएँगीं। अभी पूरा सर्वे होना बांकी है। लेकिन तत्‍काल इतने बड़े संकट को पहुंचने के लिए भारत सरकार की तरफ से एक Interim Assistance के रूप में 1,000 करोड़ रुपए भारत सरकार की तरफ से देने की मैं घोषणा करता हूं।
तुरंत Survey होने के बाद आगे भी भारत सरकार आंध्र के साथ, वाइजाग के साथ पूरी तरह साथ रहकर के इन समस्‍याओं से निकलने के लिए जो भी आवश्‍यकता होगी, उसको पूरा करेंगे। जिन लोगों ने अपना जीवन खो दिया है, जिनकी मृत्‍यु हुई है, उन (के परिजनों) को प्रधानमंत्री राहत कोष से 2 लाख रुपए और जिनको injury हुई है, उनको 50,000 रुपए भी भारत सरकार के प्रधानमंत्री राहतकोष से हम देंगें।
धन्‍यवाद।

UPDATE 4-Obama ends day of Indian pageantry with $4 billion pledge

U.S. President Barack Obama ended a landmark day in India on Monday with a pledge of $4 billion in investments and loans, seeking to release what he called the "untapped potential" of a business and strategic partnership between the world's largest democracies.
Earlier in the day, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Obama was the first U.S. president to attend India's annual Republic Day parade, a show of military might that has been associated with Cold War anti-Americanism.
It rained as troops, tanks and cultural floats filed through the heart of New Delhi, but excitement nevertheless ran high over Obama's visit, which began on Sunday with a clutch of deals to unlock billions of dollars in nuclear trade and to deepen defence ties.
Both sides hope to build enough momentum to forge a relationship that will help balance China's rise by catapulting democratic India into the league of major world powers.
The leaders talked on first name terms, recorded a radio programme together and spent hours speaking at different events, but despite the bonhomie, Obama and Modi reminded business leaders, including the head of PepsiCo, that trade ties were still fragile.
India accounts for only 2 percent of U.S. imports and one percent of its exports, Obama said. While annual bilateral trade had reached $100 billion, that is less than a fifth of U.S. trade with China.
"We are moving in the right direction ... That said, we also know that the U.S.-India relationship is defined by so much untapped potential," Obama told the Indian and U.S. business leaders. "Everyone here will agree, we've got to do better."
Modi said U.S. investment in India had doubled in the past four months and vowed to do more to slash the country's notorious red tape and make it one of the world's easiest places for business.
Obama said that U.S. Export-Import Bank would finance $1 billion in exports of 'Made-in-America' products. The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation will lend $1 billion to small- and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas of India.
Regarding renewable energy, a key focus for Modi, $2 billion will be committed by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency for renewable energy, Obama said.
Most significant was an agreement on issues that, despite a groundbreaking 2006 pact, had stopped U.S. companies from setting up nuclear reactors in India and had become one of the major irritants in bilateral relations.
"Mr. Obama breaks N-deadlock," ran the front-page headline of the Mail Today newspaper, which carried a photograph of Modi and Obama hugging each other warmly.
GLOBAL REACH
Obama and Modi sat behind a rain-spotted screen as the parade unfolded along Rajpath, an elegant lawn-bordered boulevard dating from the British colonial era that connects the presidential palace to India Gate.
Helicopters showered petals on the crowds, and then tanks, missiles, stiffly saluting soldiers, brass bands and dancers filed past the guests.
Obama's presence at the parade signals Modi's willingness to end India's traditional reluctance to get too close to any big power. Instead, he is seeking close ties with them all, even as he pushes back against China and take sides on other global issues.
Modi has injected a new vitality into the economy and foreign relations since his May elections.
Obama's second visit to India is the latest upturn in a roller-coaster relationship with Washington that a year ago was scarred by protectionism and a fiery diplomatic spat.
The United States views India as a vast market and potential counterweight to China's assertiveness, but has been frustrated with the pace of New Delhi's economic reforms.
"There are still too many barriers, hoops to jump through, bureaucratic restrictions that make it hard to start a business, or to export, to import, to close a deal, deliver on a deal," Obama told a forum of CEOs from both countries in New Delhi.
In a joint statement that made a veiled reference to China's territorial claims, Modi and Obama stated their commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
India could even play a role in battling Islamic State, the White House said on Monday, underlining the confidence that New Delhi is increasingly prepared to engage with global security.
"The leaders agreed to exchange information on individuals returning from these conflict zones and to continue to cooperate in protecting and responding to the needs of civilians caught up in these conflicts," the two sides said in a joint statement.

They also agreed to a 10-year framework for defence ties and struck deals on cooperation that included joint production of drone aircraft and equipment for Lockheed Martin Corp's C-130 military transport plane.

Obama in India joins Modi at Delhi Republic Day parade

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US President Barack Obama has attended India's Republic Day parade in Delhi, the first US head of state to do so.
Mr Obama was chief guest at the annual military parade. He arrived on Sunday for a three-day visit seen as a sign of warming ties between the two countries.
After talks on Sunday, both sides announced a breakthrough on a pact that will allow US companies to supply India with civilian nuclear technology.
Indian PM Narendra Modi said it was a "new journey" of co-operation.
Mr Obama will meet the main opposition Congress party leaders later on Monday and will also speak at a business summit.
Trade vow
Republic Day marks the adoption of India's constitution in 1950, three years after independence from Britain.
Uniformed soldiers in colourful headgear marched down Rajpath, or King's Avenue, where Mr Obama watched the parade with Mr Modi inside a bullet-proof glass enclosure.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L-R), U.S. President Barack Obama, India's President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari attend the Republic Day parade in New Delhi January 26, 2015Mr Obama watched the parade with Mr Modi inside a bullet-proof glass enclosure
Indian military vehicles and missile launching systems are displayed during the nation's Republic Day parade on Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26, 2015.Tanks and missile launchers rolled down the Rajpath in central Delhi
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) motorcycle specialists perform during the Republic Day paradeParamilitary soldiers on motorbikes performed daredevil stunts
Indian military personnel salute while riding camels during the Republic Day Parade in Delhi on January 26, 2015Huge crowds and thousands of security personnel attended the parade on a cold, wet day
"Warm hugs" have set the tone for the visit, as the BBC's Yogita Limaye reports
Helicopters showered petals on the crowds and brass bands and dancers filed past the guests on a foggy, rainy morning.
"The day is all about patriotism and I'm lucky to be a part of it," Ajith Kumar, a student watching the parade, said. "The fact that we have a guest like Obama has made it all the more special."
The US president received a warm welcome on Sunday when Mr Modi greeted him at the airport with a bear hug.
The two men spent several hours discussing defence and trade ties, and then announced the breakthrough on the civilian nuclear deal.
The pact was agreed in 2008 but has been held up for six years because of differences over the liability US firms would face in India in the event of a nuclear accident.
US President Barack Obama (2R) and First Lady Michelle Obama (C) on Rajpath during India's Republic Day parade in New DelhiThe US president came to the venue along with First Lady Michelle
An Indian spectator tries to protect himself from the rain as he attends the Republic Day Parade Rain failed to dampen spirits with thousands turning up to watch the parade
Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the crowd at the Republic Day parade in Delhi January 26, 2015Mr Modi's colourful headgear attracted a lot of attention
Indian dancers perform during the nation's Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2015Indian dancers also performed at the parade
Now a large insurance pool will be set up, without the need for any further legislation.
The two sides have also pledged to increase their bilateral trade five-fold, from the current $100bn (£66.7bn) a year, and build co-operation on defence projects.
Mr Obama's visit to India has been shortened so he can visit Saudi Arabia and pay his respects following the death of King Abdullah. It means he and his wife, Michelle, will not now visit the Taj Mahal.

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As Modi hugs Obama, China sends a quick flying kiss

China on Monday said it is ready to make concerted efforts with India to lift their bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level as they pursue a great dream of national rejuvenation. Greeting India on its 66th Republic Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a message to President Pranab Mukherjee, said China is delighted with India's achievements in its development.
Both China and India, as two ancient civilisations, are pursuing a great dream of national rejuvenation, he said. Xi said China is willing to make concerted efforts with India to lift their strategic cooperative partnership oriented to peace and prosperity to a higher level this year which marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
In his message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in recent years, China and India have kept a stronger momentum in joining hands for cooperation and seeking common development. China is ready to work with India to deepen their mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and build a closer partnership of development, he said.
Barack Obama hugs Narendra ModiUS President Barack Obama hugs India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrives at Air Force Station Palam in New Delhi January 25, 2015.
             
China also extended conditional support for India's Nuclear Suppliers Group membership bid but said "prudence and caution" needs to be exercised on the issue, a day after US President Barack Obama backed India's inclusion into the elite 48-member body.
"We believe that such (an) inclusion should be conducive to the integrity and effectiveness of the regime and decision should be made on consensus. We notice India's  commitment to relevant issues," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a media briefing. "We support the group to include new members and we support India to take further measures to meet the requirements for the inclusion in the group," she said.
In an effort to strengthen global non-proliferation and export control regimes, India and the US yesterday committed to continue to work towards India's phased entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group. This was stated in the joint statement after President Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi.
Narendra Modi (left) and Barack ObamaUS President Barack Obama (right) has attended India's Republic Day parade in Delhi.  
Besides clearing the obstacles for the implementation of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, President Obama reaffirmed the US' position that India meets MTCR requirements, India is ready for NSG membership and that it supports India's early application and eventual membership in all four regimes.
Asked whether China wants to back any other country's entry into NSG, a key body that controls the international civil nuclear trade regime, Hua said, "as for the expansion of the group, the members should make the decision on consensus after thorough discussions. India's inclusion into this group is an internal matter of the group. It needs prudence and caution and thorough discussions among all members." "We support such discussion and we also support India's inclusion into this group if it meets all the requirements," she said.