"Shri Modi pays tributes to Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during All India Conference on Livestock and Dairy Development"

On the morning of Tuesday 11th June 2013 Shri Narendra Modi addressed the All India Conference on Livestock and Dairy Development at Gandhinagar’s iconic Mahatma Mandir. 20 states and over 200 districts of India were represented at the conference. The Ambassador of Denmark to India Mr. Freddy Svane was present on the occasion. 

During his speech the Chief Minister extended rich tributes to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Shri Modi also talked about the upcoming Statue of Unity Project and urged every village to contribute a piece (tool) of iron for this project.

He affirmed, “Sardar Patel was not only a proud son of Gujarat but also a pillar of unity who undertook great efforts to unify the nation.” Shri Modi shared that as a tribute to Sardar Patel, the Gujarat Government is building the Statue of Unity, which will be among the largest statues in the world. 

In an appeal to the farmers, Shri Modi stated, “(To build this Statue of Unity) I need your help, I need the help of farmers. I am talking about this idea you for the first time in public. You may think Modi is asking for money but no, I am asking for emotional attachment. An attachment that will last for years.” He added, “I expect something from you. Sardar Patel was Loh Purush (Iron Man) and I want iron pieces from your villages. But we do not want any piece of iron, we want iron pieces (tools) used by farmers during farming. From 31st October, which is Sardar Jayanti, till 26th January we will go to the villages and collect iron blocks. And we need your help in this. We need iron to commemorate the iron man and that too iron used in farming, because after all Sardar Patel was the son of a farmer.” Shri Modi also showed a short film on the subject.

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Prime Minister holds a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of New Zealand
December 22, 2025
The two leaders jointly announce a landmark India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
The leaders agree that the FTA would serve as a catalyst for greater trade, investment, innovation and shared opportunities between both countries
The leaders also welcome progress in other areas of bilateral cooperation including defence, sports, education and people-to-people ties

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Rt. Hon. Christopher Luxon today. The two leaders jointly announced the successful conclusion of the historic, ambitious and mutually beneficial India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

With negotiations having been Initiated during PM Luxon’s visit to India in March 2025, the two leaders agreed that the conclusion of the FTA in a record time of 9 months reflects the shared ambition and political will to further deepen ties between the two countries. The FTA would significantly deepen bilateral economic engagement, enhance market access, promote investment flows, strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries, and also open up new opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, MSMEs, students and youth of both countries across various sectors.

With the strong and credible foundation provided by the FTA, both leaders expressed confidence in doubling bilateral trade over the next five years as well as an investment of USD 20 billion in India from New Zealand over the next 15 years. The leaders also welcomed the progress achieved in other areas of bilateral cooperation such as sports, education, and people-to-people ties, and reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening of the India-New Zealand partnership.

The leaders agreed to remain in touch.