"To purify the Ganga we will have to make Lucknow and Delhi pure first: Narendra Modi"
On the afternoon of Friday 20th December 2013 Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Vijay Shankhnaad Rally in Varanasi. There was unprecedented enthusiasm among the people at the rally as lakhs of Karyakartas, supporters and people from all walks of life joined the Rally to hear Shri Modi and the other BJP leaders. Also present during the rally where BJP President Shri Rajnath Singh and former HRD Minister and current Lok Sabha MP from Varanasi Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi. Shri Narendra Modi assured the youth of the nation that the BJP is committed to ensuring a bright future for them and that if a Government cannot guarantee the future of the youth, it cannot guarantee anything for the nation.
Shri Narendra Modi challenged the conventional wisdom that Uttar Pradesh is important only due to the number of MPs is sends to Parliament. He said that what is more important is the development of the state. Shri Modi affirmed, “It is said that without UP no government can be formed. This thought is an insult to UP. Is the importance of Uttar Pradesh only to increase numbers in Parliament? Is UP only about making governments? My thoughts are not so narrow. I do not think of UP merely on the basis of the MPs it sends. This state can be the engine of India’s development.” He added, “If India wants development and stability, it cannot happen without UP. For us, Uttar Pradesh is not a political playground but the most important land for India’s development.”
He commented on the poor governance in UP due to which the poor, the farmers and the youth are suffering. Shri Modi said, “Farmers of this land has the capability to fill the stomach of so many people but the farmer of this land is unable to fill his own stomach. See the government you have. How does a farmer feel when he knows that grains are rotting? This is not only an economic loss but also touches the heart of the farmer. The Honourable Supreme Court says give grains to the poor the government lets it rot and gives it to alcohol manufacturers. What the Government is doing is an insult to the farmer and making a mockery of the poor.”
Attacking the political culture of paying lip service to the poor, Shri Modi declared, “When elections come they keep talking about poor poor poor poor. But, if there is someone responsible for India’s poverty, it is one family.” Recalling his own experience of poverty Shri Modi said, “I have spent my childhood in poverty. I do not need to go to the houses of the poor to see what poverty is.” Reacting to the negative and deeply personal attacks made against him, Shri Modi affirmed, “One UPA leader calls me a tea-seller but I ask you all- is it a crime to stand on one’s own feet and make ends meet? Anybody who is blessed by the people can become the Prime Minister irrespective of what he or she does. Hume Chai Bechna Manzoor Hai, Desh Bechna Nahi (It is acceptable to see tea but not acceptable to sell the nation).” Shri Modi urged the poor people to uproot those who have exploited them for years. Answering the statements made by a senior Congress leader who called the BJP a Party of thieves Shri Modi opined, “Yes, we are thieves, we have stolen the sleep of the Congress Party.”
Shri Modi expressed concern at the state of the Ganges River. He stated, “ For others the Ganga can be a river but for us it is our Mother. Ganga Paani Ki Dhara Nahi, Sanskriti Ki Dhara Hai (Not only water but also our culture flows in the Ganges). The UPA made a scheme to clean the Ganga, a lot of campaign was done and the people thought they would see a difference. But I want to say that in the last five years except meeting three times no step was taken by the Centre. The people of India want answers from the government on what they have done to clean the Ganga.” Shri Modi urged the people to uproot those who have fooled the nation in the name of the Ganga. “Those who could not manage the Ganga, how can they manage the nation? To purify the nation we have to make Delhi and Lucknow pure first,” said Shri Modi.
Referring to those people who keep asking him what his “vision” is Shri Modi replied that he does not come with mere promises but with ideas and determination ( Hum Wade Nahi, Irade Lekar Aayien Hain). Shri Modi asked all those who ask what his “vision” is to come spend some time in Gujarat, see the transformation of the Sabarmati River. Shri Modi also spoke about the decline of Varanasi’s Sari sector and pointed out how the similar sector in parts of Gujarat was not allowed to fall into decline like this. He even spoke about how the Gujarat Government used technology and make recruitment of teachers totally transparent while in several parts the focus is more of “sepharish” than merit.
Shri Modi further pointed out that these elections are not being fought by any party or by any leader but it is the people who are fighting the elections. He said that the people of India are eager to uproot the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre.
Joint declaration on the implementation of the comprehensive partnership between the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of India
June 16, 2025
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A Historic Visit and Enduring Partnership
The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, warmly welcomed the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi, for an official visit to Cyprus from 15 to 16 June 2025. Prime Minister Modi’s visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades, marks a historic milestone and reaffirms the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations. The visit celebrates not only a shared history, but a forward-looking partnership, rooted in a joint strategic vision and mutual trust and respect.
The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues, underscoring the growing breadth and depth of cooperation between Cyprus and India. They welcomed recent progress in economic, technological, and people-to-people ties, reflective of the dynamic and evolving nature of the relationship.
Acknowledging the increasing alignment of their values, interests, international outlook and vision, both sides expressed their determination to further advance this partnership across key sectors.Cyprus and India committed to deepening their cooperation as trusted and indispensable partners contributing to regional and global peace, prosperity, and stability.
They agreed on the following joint declaration:
Shared Values and Global Commitments
The two leaders underscored their shared commitment to peace, democracy, the rule of law, effective multilateralism, and sustainable development. They reaffirmed their support for a rules-based international order, grounded in the UN Charter and international law, placing particular emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with regard to freedom of navigation and sovereign maritime rights.
The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. They held detailed discussions on international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. The two leaders also discussed the importance of upholding the global non-proliferation architecture, recognizing the value of India joining the Nuclear Suppliers group.
The leaders expressed their intention to strengthen coordination within international organizations, including within the United Nations and the Commonwealth, and agreed to work closely on implementing the 2024 Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, highlighting ocean governance as a pillar of global sustainability and resilience. In this context, the inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting was held in April 2024 in Cyprus, also marked the establishment of the Blue Charter Centre of Excellence to advance sustainable ocean governance and strengthen capacity across Commonwealth member states.
Both Leaders discussed the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council, including ways to make it more effective, efficient, and representative of the contemporary geopolitical challenges. The two Leaders expressed support to forward movement in the Intergovernmental Negotiations on United Nations Security Council reform, and reiterated their commitment to make continuous efforts to move towards text-based negotiations. Cyprus reiterated its support for the enhancement of the representative character of the United Nations Security Council expansion with India as a permanent member in an expanded United Nations Security Council.
Both sides agreed to engage in close co-operation and support each other at the United Nations including supporting each other’s candidacies to multilateral forums.
Political Dialogue
The two sides agreed to hold regular political dialogue and to utilize existing bilateral mechanisms, inter alia those between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India, to streamline coordination and advance cooperation across various sectors. The above competent Ministries shall overview and monitor the implementation of the areas of cooperation included in the Action Plan that is to be prepared, in close coordination with the competent authorities of both countries.
Support for Sovereignty and Peace
Cyprus and India expressed their strong commitment to the resumption of UN-facilitated efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Cyprus Question on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in accordance with the agreed UN framework and the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
India reiterated its unwavering and consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. In this regard, both sides emphasized the need to avoid unilateral actions as essential for creating a conducive environment for the resumption of meaningful negotiations.
Security, Defence, and Crisis Cooperation
Cyprus and India unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including international and cross-border terrorism, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to countering hybrid threats that undermine peace and stability.
Cyprus expressed solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism. The two leaders strongly condemned the gruesome killing of civilians in the recent heinous terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, India. They reiterated their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, rejecting any justification for such acts, under any circumstances. They emphasized that those responsible for the attacks should be held accountable.
The leaders urged all States to respect the sovereignty of other nations and condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms. They called for the disruption of terrorism financing networks, elimination of safe havens, dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, and bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. Emphasizing the need for a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained approach to combatting terrorism across borders, they underscored the importance of working collaboratively, bilaterally and with the multilateral system.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral efforts to combat terrorism and called for the expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework. They urged for concerted actions against all UN- and EU-designated terrorists and terrorist entities, associated proxy groups, facilitators, and sponsors, including terrorists under 1267 UNSC Sanctions Committee. They reiterated their strong commitment to continue taking active measures to disrupt terrorist financing channels including through the UN and Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Acknowledging emerging challenges within the international security environment, the leaders stressed the importance of enhancing strategic autonomy, defence readiness, and defence capabilities.
They agreed to deepen their defence and security cooperation, including through collaboration between their respective defence industries, with a special focus on cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
Recognizing both India and Cyprus as maritime nations with deep-rooted naval traditions, the leaders also discussed expanding cooperation to include the maritime domain. They will encourage more regular port calls by Indian naval vessels and explore opportunities for joint maritime training and exercises to enhance maritime domain awareness and regional security.
In that vein, and in light of ongoing global crises, both sides committed to strengthening cooperation in emergency preparedness and coordinated crisis response. Drawing on past successful efforts, the leaders agreed to institutionalize coordination in evacuation and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
Connectivity and Regional Cooperation
Cyprus and India share a strategic vision of serving as bridges between regions. Both leaders underscored the significance of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a transformative, multi-nodal initiative that fosters peace, economic integration, and sustainable development. Viewing IMEC as a catalyst for constructive regional cooperation, they reiterated their shared commitment to promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East and emphasized the importance of fostering deeper engagement and corridors of interconnection from the Indian peninsula through the wider Middle East to Europe.
While recognizing Cyprus’ role as a gateway into Europe and, in this context, its prospect to serve as a regional hub for transshipment, storage, distribution, and logistics, they welcomed the prospect of Indian shipping companies establishing a presence in Cyprus, encouraging the advancement of maritime cooperation through joint ventures involving Cyprus-based and Indian maritime service providers as a means of further strengthening economic and logistical ties.
EU–India Strategic Engagement
Looking ahead to Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening EU–India relations. They recalled the milestone visit of the College of Commissioners to India, and expressed satisfaction on the launch of the first India-EU Strategic Dialogue and the progress already made in the priority areas identified during the visit including in trade, defence and security, maritime, connectivity, clean and green energy, and space.
Cyprus pledged to work towards the advancement of the EU-India strategic partnership during the Presidency. Both sides expressed readiness to support the conclusion of the EU–India Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year recognizing its significant economic and strategic potential. They also expressed their support for the ongoing work through the EU–India Trade and Technology Council and committed to sustaining a forward-looking agenda beyond the 2025 Strategic Roadmap to deepen this key global partnership.
Trade, Innovation, Technology and Economic Opportunity
Recognizing the growing strategic complementarity between Cyprus and India, the leaders committed to expanding economic ties through increased trade, investment, and collaboration in science, innovation, and research.
To advance cooperation, the two leaders noted they would welcome a Cypriot high-level delegation visiting India, including business representatives, as well as the organisation of a Cyprus–India Business Forum to promote investment opportunities. The two leaders also addressed the Cyprus–India Business Round Table on Advancing a Strategic Economic Partnership.
Both leaders agreed to promote collaboration in research, innovation, and technology, fostering stronger ties between startups, academic institutions, and industry, and supporting innovation exchanges in key sectors like artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and research, with a view of concluding a related MoU.
Mobility, Tourism, and People-to-people Ties
The two leaders recognized people-to-people ties as a strategic asset and multiplier for deepening economic and cultural ties. The two sides will work to finalise a Mobility Pilot Program Arrangement by the end of 2025.
Both sides emphasized the value of fostering mutual understanding through cultural and people-to-people ties. They agreed to explore opportunities for enhancing tourism and the establishment of direct air connectivity between Cyprus and India, as well as enhanced air routes via shared partners, to improve ease of travel and boost bilateral exchanges.
The Future: 2025-2029 Action Plan
This Joint Declaration reaffirms the strategic bond between Cyprus and India. Both leaders noted with satisfaction the progress in ongoing bilateral cooperation and expressed confidence that the partnership will continue to flourish, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity across their regions and beyond.
The leaders agreed that an Action Plan is to be prepared in order to guide bilateral relations between Cyprus and India for the next five years, under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India.
"Narendra Modi addresses Vijay Shankhnaad Rally in Varanasi"
