Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi has sent an urgent letter to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh requesting him to immediately withdraw the ban on Cotton export. The Chief Minister has also requested the PM to allot export quota of 1 million cotton bales to Gujarat in special case to save state farmers from great loss.
After returning back from Chennai-Tamilnadu, Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Prime Minister in which he said Gujarat produces about one third cotton of India and contributes 50% export of Cotton. Gujarat’s Cotton has become famous internationally due to its quality. While in 2003 the state produced 16 lakh hector of Cotton crop, last year the production reached 24.64 lakh hector. This year Gujarat farmers have produced 104.55 lakh bales of Cotton.
Shri Modi in his letter to the PM said policy of banning the Cotton export practiced by central government’s Finance and Commerce ministries is clear injustice to Cotton farmers and there’s anger among the farmers on this issue.
Shri Modi said there’s a game being played to discourage Gujarat’s Cotton farmers. In 2010 central Finance ministry had imposed Rs. 2500 export duty per tonne. A notification in this regard was issued on 9 April, 2010. This is anti-farmers policy.
Shri Narendra Modi terming this as an anti-farmer policy of the central government further said in his letter that while internationally cotton prices are increasing, we are having opposite experience at home-front where prices are going down.
Shri Modi pointed out that Cotton producers have no arrangement to store their yield and therefore they are compelled to sell Cotton at lower prices. BT Cotton S6′s price has come down from Rs Rs 44,000 per candy from earlier Rs 62,500, while Short staple V 797 cotton price is down at Rs 25,000 from earlier Rs 50,000 per candy. Raw BT Cotton was priced at Rs 7250, but now its price is 40% down.
Chief Minister also pointed out that while last year 295 lakh bales cotton was produced and 85 lakh export quota was approved., this year there has been 330 lakh bales production, but the approved export quota is only 55 lakh bales!
The Chief Minister in his letter said It is not understandable that what kind of approach central Commerce ministry has adopted.
India is the springboard for Japanese businesses to the Global South: PM Modi in Tokyo
August 29, 2025
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Your Excellency Prime Minister Ishiba, Business leaders from India and Japan, Ladies and Gentlemen, Namaskar
Konnichiwa!
I just arrived in Tokyo this morning. I am very happy that my trip is starting with the giants of the business world.
I personally know many of you. Whether it was during my time in Gujarat, or after moving to Delhi. I’ve had close connections with many of you. I’m really glad to have this opportunity to meet you all today.
I especially thank Prime Minister Ishiba for joining this forum. I congratulate him for his valuable remarks.
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Friends,
Japan has always been a key partner in India’s growth journey. Whether it’s metros, manufacturing, semiconductors, or start-ups, our partnership in every area reflects mutual trust.
Japanese companies have invested more than $40 billion in India. In the last two years alone, there has been private investment of $13 billion. JBIC says India is the most 'promising' destination. JETRO says 80 percent of companies want to expand in India, and 75 percent are already profitable.
Which means, in India, capital does not just grow, it multiplies!
Friends,
You are all familiar with the remarkable changes India has experienced in the last eleven years. Today, we have political and economic stability, and clear and predictable policies. India is now the fastest-growing major economy in the world, and very soon, it will become the world’s third-largest economy.
India is contributing to 18% of global growth. The country’s capital markets are giving good returns, and we have a strong banking sector. Inflation and interest rates are low, and foreign exchange reserves stand at around $700 billion.
Friends,
Behind this change is our approach of ‘Reform, Perform, and Transform.’ In 2017, we introduced "One Nation–One Tax”, and now we are working on bringing in new and bigger reforms in it. A few weeks ago, our Parliament has also approved the new and simplified Income Tax code.
Our reforms are not limited to the tax system alone. We have emphasized on ease of doing business. We have established a single digital window approval for businesses. We have rationalized 45,000 compliances. A high-level committee on de-regulation has been formed to speed up this process.
Sensitive sectors like Defence and Space have been opened up to the private sector. Now, we are also opening up the nuclear energy sector.
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Friends,
These reforms reflect our determination to build a developed India. We have the commitment, the conviction, and the strategy, and the world has not just recognized it but also appreciated it. S&P Global has upgraded India's credit rating after two decades.
The world is not just watching India, it is counting on India.
Friends,
The India-Japan Business Forum report has just been presented, detailing the business deals between our companies. I congratulate all of you for on this remarkable progress. I would also like to humbly offer a few suggestions for our partnership.
The first is manufacturing. Our partnership in the auto sector has been extremely successful. And the Prime Minister described it in great detail. Together, we can replicate the same magic in batteries, robotics, semi-conductors, ship-building and nuclear energy. Together, we can make a significant contribution to the development of the Global South, especially Africa.
I urge all of you: Come, Make in India, Make for the World. The success stories of Suzuki and Daikin can become your success stories too.
Second, is technology and innovation. Japan is a "Tech Powerhouse". And, India is a "Talent Powerhouse". India has taken bold and ambitious initiatives in AI, Semiconductors, Quantum computing, Biotech, and Space. Japan's technology and India's talent together can lead the tech revolution of this century.
The third area is the Green Energy Transition. India is quickly moving towards 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. We also aim for 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047. From solar cells to green hydrogen, there are huge opportunities for partnership.
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An agreement has been reached between India and Japan on Joint Credit Mechanism. This can be used to cooperate in building a clean and green future.
Fourth, is Next-Gen Infrastructure. In the last decade, India has made unprecedented progress in next generation mobility, and logistics infrastructure. The capacity of our ports has doubled. There are more than 160 airports. Metro lines of a 1000 km have been built. Work is also underway on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail in cooperation with Japan.
But our journey does not stop here. Japan's excellence and India's scale can create a perfect partnership.
Fifth is Skill Development and People-to-People Ties. The talent of India's skilled youth has the potential to meet global needs. Japan can also benefit from this. You could train Indian talent in Japanese language and soft skills, and together create a "Japan-ready" workforce. A shared workforce will lead to shared prosperity.
Friends,
In the end I would like to say this - India and Japan’s partnership is strategic and smart. Powered by economic logic, we have turned shared interests into shared prosperity.
India is the springboard for Japanese businesses to the Global South. Together, we will shape the Asian Century for stability, growth, and prosperity.
With these words, I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Ishiba and all of you.
