PM addresses the nation on the COVID-19 situation

Published By : Admin | April 20, 2021 | 20:46 IST
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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the COVID-19 situation today.

The Prime Minister expressed condolences for the lives lost to the pandemic in the recent times. “I am with  you in this time of grief as a family member. The challenge is huge, we have to overcome it collectively with determination, courage and preparation” said the Prime Minister. He also paid tribute to the doctors, medical staff, paramedical staff, sanitation workers, ambulance drivers security forces and police force for their contribution in the fight against Corona.

The Prime Minister said that the Government is working with speed and sensitivity to meet the increasing demand of oxygen in the various parts of the country. Centre, State Governments and private sector are trying that every needy person gets oxygen. Efforts to increase oxygen production and supply are on at various levels. Measures like installing new oxygen plants, providing one lakh new cylinders, diverting oxygen from the industrial use, Oxygen Rail are being undertaken.

The Prime Minister said that that our scientists came out with the vaccine in a very short time and today India has the cheapest vaccine in the world which is compatible with the cold-chain available in India. Due to this team effort, India has embarked upon the world’s largest vaccination drive with two ‘made in India’ Vaccines. From the very first phase of the vaccination drive, it has been emphasized that the vaccine reaches the maximum areas and to the people who need it. India gave first 10 crore, 11 crore and the 12 crore vaccine doses in the shortest time in the world.

Speaking about the yesterday’s vaccine related decision, the Prime Minister said that after 1st May, every person above 18 years of age can be vaccinated. Half of the vaccine produced in India will go directly to the states and hospitals.

The Prime Minister emphasized that along with saving lives, effort is to save the economic activities and ensure minimum adverse impact on the livelihood of the people. By opening vaccination for 18 years and above population, vaccine will be available quickly for the workforce in the cities. The Prime Minister requested the state governments that they should boost the confidence of the workers and convince them to stay wherever they are. This confidence by the states will greatly help the workers and labourers and they will get the vaccine wherever they are and their work will also not suffer.

The Prime Minister said that we have much better knowledge and resources to meet the challenge than the initial days of the first wave. Shri Modi credited the people of India for a good and patient fight. He said, with the strength of people’s participation, we will be able to defeat this wave of Corona too. He saluted the contribution of social organizations who are helping the people in the time of need and called upon everyone to move forward to help the people who require help.

The Prime Minister, called upon the youth to help in maintaining covid appropriate behaviour in their areas and neighbourhood. This will help in avoiding containment zones, curfews or lockdowns. He also asked children to create an atmosphere where their family members avoid going out unnecessarily.

The Prime Minister said  in today’s circumstances, we have to save the country from lockdown. He asked state governments to treat lockdown only as a measure of the last resort. We have to concentrate on micro containment zones and have to try our best to avoid lockdown, the Prime Minister said.

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List of Outcomes: Visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE to India
January 19, 2026
S.NoAgreements / MoUs / LoIsObjectives

1

Letter of Intent on Investment Cooperation between the Government of Gujarat, Republic of India and the Ministry of Investment of the United Arab Emirates for Development of Dholera Special Investment region

To pursue investment cooperation for UAE partnership in development of the Special Investment Region in Dholera, Gujarat. The envisioned partnership would include the development of key strategic infrastructure, including an international airport, a pilot training school, a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, a greenfield port, a smart urban township, railway connectivity, and energy infrastructure.

2

Letter of Intent between the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) of India and the Space Agency of the United Arab Emirates for a Joint Initiative to Enable Space Industry Development and Commercial Collaboration

To pursue India-UAE partnership in developing joint infrastructure for space and commercialization, including launch complexes, manufacturing and technology zones, incubation centre and accelerator for space start-ups, training institute and exchange programmes.

3

Letter of Intent between the Republic of India and the United Arab Emirates on the Strategic Defence Partnership

Work together to establish Strategic Defence Partnership Framework Agreement and expand defence cooperation across a number of areas, including defence industrial collaboration, defence innovation and advanced technology, training, education and doctrine, special operations and interoperability, cyber space, counter terrorism.

4

Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA) between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, (HPCL) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Gas (ADNOC Gas)

The long-term Agreement provides for purchase of 0.5 MMPTA LNG by HPCL from ADNOC Gas over a period of 10 years starting from 2028.

5

MoU on Food Safety and Technical requirements between Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India, and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates.

The MoU provides for sanitary and quality parameters to facilitate the trade, exchange, promotion of cooperation in the food sector, and to encourage rice, food products and other agricultural products exports from India to UAE. It will benefit the farmers from India and contribute to food security of the UAE.

S.NoAnnouncementsObjective

6

Establishment of a supercomputing cluster in India.

It has been agreed in principle that C-DAC India and G-42 company of the UAE will collaborate to set up a supercomputing cluster in India. The initiative will be part of the AI India Mission and once established the facility be available to private and public sector for research, application development and commercial use.

7

Double bilateral Trade to US$ 200 billion by 2032

The two sides agreed to double bilateral trade to over US$ 200 billion by 2032. The focus will also be on linking MSME industries on both sides and promote new markets through initiatives like Bharat Mart, Virtual Trade Corridor and Bharat-Africa Setu.

8

Promote bilateral Civil Nuclear Cooperation

To capitalise on the new opportunities created by the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act 2025, it was agreed to develop a partnership in advance nuclear technologies, including development and deployment of large nuclear reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and cooperation in advance reactor systems, nuclear power plant operations and maintenance, and Nuclear Safety.

9

Setting up of offices and operations of UAE companies –First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and DP World in the GIFT City in Gujarat

The First Abu Dhabi Bank will have a branch in GIFT that will promote trade and investment ties. DP World will have operations from the GIFT City, including for leasing of ships for its global operations.

10

Explore Establishment of ‘Digital/ Data Embassies’

It has been agreed that both sides would explore the possibility of setting up Digital Embassies under mutually recognised sovereignty arrangements.

11

Establishment of a ‘House of India’ in Abu Dhabi

It has been agreed in Principle that India and UAE will cooperate on a flagship project to establish a cultural space consisting of, among others, a museum of Indian art, heritage and archaeology in Abu Dhabi.

12

Promotion of Youth Exchanges

It has been agreed in principle to work towards arranging visits of a group of youth delegates from either country to foster deeper understanding, academic and research collaboration, and cultural bonds between the future generations.