QuoteWithin a few months, India has become world's second largest PPE kits manufacturer from zero: PM
QuotePM Modi applauds the health workers, paramedics, ASHA and ANM workers, terms them as 'foot-soldiers' in the fight against COVID-19
QuoteWearing masks, social distancing and hand sanitization only way to defeat Coronavirus: PM Modi

Namaskar!!

Crores of Indian citizens are fighting against the Corona pandemic very bravely.

The Hi-tech state-of-the-art testing facilities launched today will further strengthen the fight of West Bengal, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh against Corona.

Friends,

Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Kolkata are major hubs of economic activity. Lakhs of youngsters come to these cities from various corners of the country for their career and to fulfil their dreams.  Now about 10,000 more testing capacity will be added to the current testing capacity in these three places.

Now tests will be done in these cities more quickly.  One good thing is that these hi-tech labs are not limited to just corona testing.

In future, these labs will also be equipped with facility for testing many other diseases including Hepatitis B and C, HIV and Dengue.

Many congratulations to the friends from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other institutions for making such arrangements.

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Friends,

Today India is in a much more stable position than other countries because right decisions were taken at the right time in the country.  Today, the number of deaths from corona in our country is much less than in big countries.  At the same time, the recovery rate here is much higher than other countries and is improving day by day.  Today, the number of people recovered from corona in India is about to reach 10 lakhs.

Friends,

The rapid setting up of Corona-specific health infrastructure in the country was the most important thing for this massive and long fight against Corona.  For this reason, at the very outset, the central government announced a package of 15 thousand crore rupees.

Be it isolation centres, Covid special hospitals or a network of testing, tracing and tracking, India expanded its capabilities at a very fast pace.  Today India has more than 11 thousand Covid facilities and more than 11 lakh isolation beds.

 Friends,

 In January, we had only one centre for the corona test, while today about 1300 labs are working in the whole country for corona testing.  Today, more than 5 lakh tests are being conducted in India every day.  In the coming weeks, we are trying to upscale it to 10 lakh per day.

 Friends,

During the Corona pandemic, everyone is determined with only one resolution that is, saving every Indian.  This resolution has given amazing results to India.  What India has done, especially regarding PPE, masks and test kits, is a huge success story.  At one point of time, not a single PPE kit was manufactured in India.  Today, India is the world's second largest PPE Kit manufacturer.

Just 6 months ago there was not a single PPE Kit manufacturer in the country.  Today more than 1200 manufacturers are producing more than 5 lakh PPE kits every day.  At one point of time, N-95 masks were also imported from abroad to India.  Today more than 3 lakh N-95 masks are being manufactured in India every day.

There was a time when India was also dependent on other countries for ventilators.  Today, the production capacity has been developed to manufacture 3 lakh ventilators in India every year.  During this period, the production of medical oxygen cylinders was also greatly increased.

Due to these concerted efforts, not only the lives of people are being saved, but the things that we used to import, are being exported by the country.

Friends,

You are also familiar with the formidable challenge that was before us to build such a huge physical infrastructure in such a short time.  Another major challenge was to prepare human resources in the country for the fight against Corona.  The short period of time in which our paramedics, ASHA workers, ANM, Anganwadi and other health and civil workers have been trained is also unprecedented.

Today, the world is astounded to see India's fight against Corona, and its apprehensions are being proved wrong, and a major reason for the same is our foot soldiers.

 Friends,

In the fight against Corona, we have come to the point where we have no lack of awareness and the scientific data and resources are also expanding.

 Now we have to strengthen the management of demand and supply at the state level as well as district, block and village levels.

 Together we not only have to create new health infrastructure but must also  strengthen the government and private dispensaries and clinics in every village, and make them more efficient.  We must do this so that the fight against Corona in our villages is not weakened.  So far, the villages have done very well in this field.

And with this, we have to ensure that our Corona warriors do not become victims of any kind of fatigue.  We will also have to work continuously to bring new and retired professionals in the health system.

Friends,

Many festivals are lined up in the near future.  Let these celebrations bring happiness and joy but we have to take every precaution to avoid spreading infection among the people.  We will also have to see to it that the poor families do not have problems during the time of festivities.

 We have to ensure that the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana reach every poor family on time.

Friends,

Talented scientists of our country are working vigorously for the corona vaccine.  But till the time an effective medicine or vaccine is invented, we must wear masks and follow social distancing or of 'do gaz doori' and hand sanitization.  We have to protect ourselves as well as all our family members, young and old, at home.

 I believe that in the fight against Corona, we will all fight together and win.  Once again, many congratulations for these high-tech facilities.

 Thank you so much!!!

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Prime Minister and President of Cyprus interact with business leaders from Cyprus and India
June 15, 2025

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi along with the President of Cyprus, H.E. Nikos Christodoulides today held a Roundtable interaction with business leaders from Cyprus and India in Limassol. The participants represented diverse sectors such as banking, financial institutions, manufacturing, defence, logistics, maritime, shipping, technology, innovation, digital technologies, AI, IT services, tourism and mobility.

Highlighting India's rapid economic transformation in the last 11 years, Prime Minister noted that India, propelled by next-generation reforms, policy predictability, stable polity and Ease of Doing Business, has become the fastest growing major economy in the world. Emphasizing on the primacy being given to innovation, digital revolution, start-up and futuristic infrastructure development, he expressed confidence that India, the fifth largest economy in the world, was well positioned to become the third largest in a few years’ time. He noted that steady growth in India’s civil aviation, port, shipbuilding, digital payments and green development sectors have opened myriad opportunities for companies from Cyprus to partner with India. He further underlined the strengths of India’s skilled talent and start-up ecosystem and highlighted manufacturing, AI, Quantum, Semiconductor and Critical Minerals as new and emerging areas contributing to India’s growth story.

Prime Minister noted that Cyprus was a significant economic partner for India, particularly in the Foreign Direct Investment sector and welcomed the keen interest in Cyprus for new investments into the Indian economy. Highlighting the potential for business engagement in the financial services sector, the two leaders welcomed the signing of an MOU between NSE International Exchange GIFT CITY, Gujarat and Cyprus Stock Exchange. NIPL (NPCI International Payments Limited) and the Eurobank Cyprus reached an understanding on introducing UPI for cross border payments between the two countries which would benefit tourists and businesses. Prime Minister also welcomed the launch of the India–Greece–Cyprus (IGC) Business and Investment Council, which will foster trilateral cooperation in sectors such as shipping, logistics, renewable energy, civil aviation and digital services. Prime Minister welcomed the fact that many Indian companies see Cyprus as a gateway to Europe and hub for IT services, financial management, and tourism.

As Cyprus prepares to assume the Presidency of the EU Council next year, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen India-EU Strategic Partnership. They expressed optimism about concluding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement by end of the year which would also give a major boost to trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister underlined that the business roundtable had given practical suggestions which would form the basis for a structured economic roadmap, ensuring long-term collaboration in trade, innovation and strategic sectors.

With shared aspirations and a future-focused approach, India and Cyprus are poised for a new era of dynamic and mutually beneficial economic cooperation.