Published By : Admin |
September 5, 2014 | 23:20 IST
Share
Your Excellency, Prime Minister Tony Abbott Friends from the Media
I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Tony Abbott to India. We are fortunate to host him as our government`s first guest on a State Visit to India, because we consider Australia to be a very important strategic partner and we wish to deepen our relations further.
India and Australia are peace-loving democratic nations, blessed with great diversity in their societies. We are linked by the Indian Ocean. Australia can make a very important contribution to India`s development. India is a resource-constrained country and can meet a considerable part of its requirements from Australia, a country blessed with abundant natural resources. There are enormous possibilities in the area of manufacturing and infrastructure. In the coming years, India can emerge as a major source of highly skilled human resources.
We have growing cooperation in science, education and skill development. More than 400,000 people of India origin in Australia are making significant contribution to the Australian society and also constitute an effective bridge of friendship between the two countries.
India and Australia must not only work together with a sense of priority to promote peace and prosperity in Asia, Pacific and Indian Ocean Region, but also take on the responsibility of bringing together all other countries in this endeavour.
Prime Minister Abbott and I have had detailed discussions on enhancing our cooperation in all areas of our relationship.
At first, I would like to convey to Prime Minister Abbott the deep sense of gratitude of 1.25 billion people of India for the efforts he has made to bring with him two ancient statues that were stolen from India.
The moment we had conveyed our request for the return of these statues, his government took this decision with great speed. Prime Minister Abbott and the people of Australian have shown enormous respect and regard not only for our ancient treasure, but also for our cultural heritage.
The signing of the civil nuclear cooperation agreement is a historic milestone in our relationship. It is a reflection of a new level of mutual trust and confidence in our relationship and will open a new chapter in our bilateral cooperation. It will support India`s efforts to fuel its growth with clean energy and minimize the carbon footprint of its growth.
Regular and robust dialogue provides a strong foundation for a strong strategic partnership. Prime Minister Abbott and I have decided to enhance our political dialogue and increase our security and defence cooperation, to which we attach great importance in our relationship. We will also enhance exchanges between elected representatives in the Parliament and state assemblies of the two countries.
There has been no prime ministerial visit from India since 1986. I have accepted Prime Minister Abbott`s invitation to pay a bilateral visit to Australia after the G 20 Summit. We will try and meet each other at every available opportunity. We will increase our dialogue at senior officials` level, including in the political, economic and security areas. We will also increase our consultation and coordination in important forums like the Indian Ocean Region Association and East Asia Summit.
We will hold our first bilateral naval exercise in 2015 and intend to enhance our exercises in the coming years. Our two countries can contribute to a variety of objectives in the Indian Ocean Region, including in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. We will also join together in the commemoration of 100 years of the First World War, in which our soldiers fought together. We will also increase our security cooperation to counter terrorism, cyber threats and other security challenges.
There are vast possibilities for increasing trade and investment cooperation. Prime Minister Abbott has been supportive of Indian investors in Australia and has assured me of speedy clearances for Indian investment proposals in the pipeline. I invited Australian investments into India, including in infrastructure and high technology areas.
We are concerned about the decline in bilateral trade in the last two years. We have committed to an early conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
I am delighted that we are announcing fresh funding for the Australia India Strategic Research Fund, which supports research activities in areas like clean energy, water, health, environment and food processing.
I am pleased that Prime Minister Abbott has announced a new Colombo Plan to increase the flow of Australian students to India. Increase in youth exchanges will deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Abbott has assured me of full cooperation in the area of skill development, which is a priority sector for me. We have also decided to promote cooperation in higher education, especially at the level of universities, to create world class educational opportunities for Indian youth.
Our two countries are bound by shared love for cricket and hockey. Today, I have requested Prime Minister Abbott for cooperation in establishing sports universities in India.
We welcomed the growing people-to-people ties, reflected in the increasing flow of students and tourists between the two countries.
We cooperate with each other in multilateral forums. I thanked Prime Minister Abbott for the continuing Australian support for India`s permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
I am keenly looking forward to the G 20 Summit. I am confident that under the leadership of Prime Minister Abbott, G 20 will be able to effectively address the global challenges. I also conveyed to him our best wishes for hosting the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
I am very satisfied with our meeting today. I believe that it will set a new direction in our relationship. I am confident that we will make further progress on our bilateral agenda before the November Summit. I am also confident that Australia will emerge as a strong strategic partner for India a very important part of our Look East Policy.
Ganga Expressway to become new lifeline of Uttar Pradesh’s development: PM Modi in Hardoi
April 29, 2026
Share
This transformative infrastructure project will boost connectivity and drive progress across Uttar Pradesh: PM
Just as Maa Ganga has been the lifeline of UP and this country for thousands of years, similarly, in this era of modern progress, this expressway passing near her, will become the new lifeline of UP's development: PM
Recently, I had the opportunity to dedicate the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway to the nation.
I had then remarked that these emerging expressways are the lifelines shaping the destiny of a developing India, and these modern pathways are today heralding India's bright future: PM
Ganga Expressway will not only connect one end of UP to the other, it will also bring limitless possibilities of the NCR closer: PM
Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Ganga Maiya Ki Jai.
Ganga Maiya Ki Jai.
Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak Ji, my colleagues in the Union Cabinet Jitin Prasada Ji, Pankaj Chaudhary Ji, ministers of the UP government, Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly, other public representatives, and my dear brothers and sisters who have gathered here in large numbers.
First of all, I bow to the sacred land of Lord Narasimha. Just a few kilometers from here flows the grace of Maa Ganga. Therefore, this entire region is no less than a pilgrimage. And I believe that this blessing of the Ganga Expressway to Uttar Pradesh is also the blessing of Maa Ganga. Now you can reach the Sangam in just a few hours, and also visit Baba in Kashi and return.
Friends,
Just as Maa Ganga has been the lifeline of UP and this country for thousands of years, in this era of modern progress, this expressway passing near her will become the new lifeline of UP’s development. It is also a wonderful coincidence that in the past four-five days, I have been in the presence of Maa Ganga. On 24 April, when I was in Bengal, I had darshan of Maa Ganga, and then yesterday I was in Kashi. This morning itself I had the fortune of darshan of Baba Vishwanath, Maa Annapurna, and Maa Ganga. And now I have the opportunity of inaugurating this expressway named after Maa Ganga. I am happy that the UP government has named this expressway after Maa Ganga. In this, our vision of development is reflected, and our heritage is also seen. I congratulate the crores of people of UP on the Ganga Expressway.
Friends,
Today is also an important day of the festival of democracy. In Bengal, the second phase of voting is happening at this time, and the news coming shows that heavy voting is happening in Bengal. Just like in the first phase, people are coming out of their homes in large numbers to vote, and pictures of long queues are all over social media. What had not happened in the past 6–7 decades, what was difficult even to imagine, this time voting in Bengal is happening in such a fearless environment. People are voting free from fear. This is a sacred symbol of the Constitution of the country and of the strengthening democracy of the country. I express gratitude to the great people of Bengal that they are so aware of their rights, voting in large numbers. Still many hours remain before voting ends, I urge the people of Bengal to participate in this festival of democracy with the same enthusiasm.
Friends,
Some time ago when elections happened in Bihar, BJP-NDA registered a massive victory, created history. Just yesterday, results of elections in Gujarat for municipal corporations, municipalities, district panchayats, nagar panchayats, and tehsil panchayats came. And you people of Uttar Pradesh will be happy, BJP has won 80 to 85 percent of municipalities and panchayats. And I am confident that in these five states’ elections also BJP is going to make a historic hat-trick of victories. The results of 4 May will strengthen the resolve of a developed India, and will fill the pace of the country’s development with new energy.
Friends,
For the rapid development of the country, we also have to build modern infrastructure quickly. In December 2021, I had come to Shahjahanpur to lay the foundation stone of the Ganga Expressway. It has not even been 5 years, and you see, among the largest expressways of the country, UP’s longest green corridor expressway has been completed within 5 years. Today its inauguration is also happening from Hardoi. Not only has the construction of the Ganga Expressway been completed, but work has also started on its expansion plan. Soon, the Ganga Expressway will extend beyond Meerut to reach Haridwar. For its better use, the Farrukhabad Link Expressway will be built, connecting it with other expressways. This is the vision of the double-engine government! This is the speed of the BJP government’s work! This is the way the BJP government works!
Brothers and sisters,
Just a few days ago I had the opportunity to inaugurate the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. Then I had said that these newly built expressways are the palm lines of developed India, and these modern palm lines are today proclaiming the bright future of India.
Friends,
Now that era has gone, when one had to wait for decades for a road! Once an announcement was made, files would run for years! Stones would be laid for elections, then governments would come and go, but there would be no trace of work. Sometimes, to find old files, big officers had to work hard for two years. In the double-engine government, foundation stones are laid, and inaugurations also happen within a fixed time. That is why today, if there is more speed than UP’s expressways, it is the speed of UP’s development.
Friends,
This expressway is not just a high-speed road. It is a gateway of new possibilities, new dreams, new opportunities. The Ganga Expressway is about 600 kilometers long. In western UP-Meerut, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Amroha, Sambhal, and Badaun. In central UP-Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli. In eastern UP-Pratapgarh and Prayagraj, and other nearby districts. The Ganga Expressway will change the lives of crores of people in these areas.
Friends,
These regions have been blessed with the fertile soil of Ganga Ji and her tributaries. But because of the neglect of farmers by previous governments, farmers remained surrounded by difficulties! The crops of farmers here could not reach big markets. There was a lack of cold storage. There was a lack of logistics. Farmers did not get the right value for their hard work. Now solutions to those difficulties will also happen quickly. Through the Ganga Expressway, access to big markets will be achieved in less time. Infrastructure necessary for farming will be developed here. This will increase the income of our farmers.
Friends,
The Ganga Expressway not only connects one end of UP to the other, it will also bring closer the immense possibilities of NCR. Vehicles will run on the Ganga Expressway, and new industrial opportunities will develop along its sides. For this, industrial corridors are being developed in districts like Hardoi. Through this, new industries will come in all 12 districts including Hardoi, Shahjahanpur, Unnao. Clusters of different sectors like pharma, textile will be developed. New employment opportunities will also be created for the youth.
Friends,
Our youth are themselves setting new records with the strength of schemes like Mudra Yojana and ODOP. Here, small industries and MSMEs are being promoted. With better connectivity facilities, new paths will also open for them. The sports industry of Meerut, the handicrafts of Sambhal, the ceramics of Bulandshahr, the handloom of Hardoi, the leather of Unnao, the amla products of Pratapgarh-all these will reach the markets of the country and the world on a larger scale. The income of lakhs of families will increase from this. Tell me, could anyone even imagine in the old Samajwadi Party government that industrial corridors would be built in districts like Hardoi and Unnao? Could anyone ever think that an expressway would pass through our Hardoi? This work is possible only in the BJP government.
Friends,
Earlier Uttar Pradesh was called a backward and “BIMARU” state. The same Uttar Pradesh today is moving forward to become a 1 trillion dollar economy. This is a very big goal. But behind it is equally big preparation. Because UP has such immense capacity. UP has the potential of such a large youth population of the country. We are using this strength to make UP a manufacturing hub. New industries and factories will be set up in UP, when large-scale investment comes here, only then will the doors of economic progress open, and employment opportunities will be created for the youth.
Brothers and sisters,
Keeping this vision at the center, continuous work has been done in recent years. You yourselves are feeling it, the UP which was earlier identified with migration, today is known for investor summits and industrial corridors. In UP’s investor summit, companies come from the country and the world. Thousands of crores of rupees are being invested in UP. Today, if India is the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world, then UP has a very big contribution to it. Of all the mobiles India is making today, half are being made in our UP. Just a few weeks ago, I also laid the foundation stone of a semiconductor plant in Noida.
Friends,
You all know, in this era of AI, semiconductors are becoming such a big field. UP is moving forward to take the lead in that too. In the future, a very big area with immense opportunities is opening up for the people of UP.
Friends,
The industrial development of Uttar Pradesh today is also becoming India’s strategic strength. Today one of the country’s two defense corridors is in UP. Big defense companies are setting up their factories here. Missiles like BrahMos, which the world recognizes, are being made in UP today. For the manufacture of defense equipment, the small parts needed are being supplied by MSMEs. This is greatly benefiting the MSME sector of Uttar Pradesh. Even in small districts, youth can now dream of connecting with big industries.
Friends,
Today Uttar Pradesh is developing at such a fast pace because UP has changed old politics and created a new identity. Remember, there was a time when UP was identified with potholes. Today the same UP has become the state with the most expressways in the country. Earlier it was very difficult even to go to neighboring districts. But today there are 21 airports in Uttar Pradesh, 5 international airports. Now the inauguration of Noida International Airport has also happened. From the Ganga Expressway, Noida International Airport is just a few hours away.
Brothers and sisters,
Our Uttar Pradesh is the land of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. But previous governments, because of their misdeeds, had made crime and jungle raj the identity of UP. Films used to be made on UP’s mafias. But now UP’s law and order is given as an example across the country.
Brothers and sisters,
The Samajwadi Party members, whose hands lost power that used to distribute resources, do not like this progress of UP. They want to push UP back into the old era again. They want once again to divide and break society.
Friends,
The Samajwadi Party is both anti-development and anti-women. Just recently the country once again saw the real face of parties like SP and Congress. The NDA government at the Centre had brought the Nari Shakti Vandan amendment in Parliament. If this amendment had passed, then from the 2029 elections itself, women would have got reservation in Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha! A large number of our mothers and sisters would have become MPs and MLAs, reaching Delhi and Lucknow. That too, without reducing seats of any other category! But Samajwadi Party (SP) voted against this amendment bill.
Friends,
This bill would have increased seats in all states too. We had clearly said in Parliament, seats in all states would increase in the same proportion. But parties like DMK, which do politics by abusing UP, objected to why UP’s seats would increase. You see, the Samajwadi Party was echoing the same tune in Parliament. These SP members take your votes from here, and in Parliament stand with those who abuse the people of UP. That is why the people of UP say, the Samajwadi Party can never improve. These people will always do anti-women politics. They will always stand with appeasement and criminals. SP can never rise above family politics and caste politics. These people will always do anti-development politics. UP must remain cautious of SP and its allies.
Friends,
Today the country is moving forward with one resolve-the resolve of a developed India! Uttar Pradesh has a very big role in fulfilling this resolve. You are seeing, today the whole world is trapped in war, unrest, and instability. In big countries of the world, conditions are bad. But India is moving forward on the path of development at the same speed. Outside enemies do not like this. Some people sitting inside, hungry for power, are also trying to show India down. Yet, we are not only safe, but also creating new records of development. We are advancing the campaign of self-reliant India. We are building the most modern infrastructure. The Ganga Expressway is another strong step in this direction. I am confident, the possibilities that the Ganga Expressway will bring to our doors, the people of UP will realize them with their hard work and talent. With this resolve, I once again give you all many congratulations. Thank you very much!
