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India and Iran are not new friends. Our dosti is as old as history: PM Modi

Published By : Admin | May 23, 2016 | 13:49 IST
QuoteWe can never forget that Iran was among the first countries to come forward in support when earthquake struck Gujarat in 2001: PM Modi
QuoteIndia is proud to have stood with the people of Iran during your difficult times: PM
QuoteBilateral agreement to develop Chahbahar port, availability of about US$ 500 million from India for this purpose an important milestone: PM
QuoteTrilateral Transport and Transit Agreement with participation of Iran, India and Afghanistan will be a historic occasion: PM Modi
QuoteIndia and Iran also share a crucial stake in peace, stability and prosperity of our region: PM

Your Excellency President Rouhani,

Friends,

Thank you,

Excellency for your warm and wise words.

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I am also grateful to you for the gracious hospitality given to me and my delegation. On behalf of the 1.25 billion Indians, I extend warm greetings to the friendly people of Iran. Through ages, the beauty and richness of the Persian heritage has attracted the world to Iran. For me, visiting Iran, is indeed a great privilege.

Excellency,

India and Iran are not new friends. Our dosti is as old as history. Through centuries, our societies have stayed connected through art and architecture, ideas and traditions, and culture and commerce. As friends and neighbours, we have shared interest in each other’s growth and prosperity, and joys and sorrows. We can never forget that Iran was among the first countries to come forward in support when earthquake struck my state, Gujarat, in 2001. Similarly, India is proud to have stood with the people of Iran during your difficult times. I compliment the leadership of Iran for their far-sighted diplomacy.

Excellency,

We had last met in Ufa in 2015. Your leadership and the clarity of your vision have deeply impressed me. In our meeting today, we focused on the full range of our bilateral engagement. We exchanged views on the emerging regional situation and global issues of common concern. The agenda and scope of our partnership is truly substantial. The outcomes and agreements signed today open a new chapter in our strategic partnership. The welfare of our people is guiding our broad based economic ties. Expanded trade ties, deeper connectivity, including Railways partnerships in oil and gas sector fertilizers education and cultural sphere are driving our overall economic engagement. The bilateral agreement to develop the Chahbahar port and related infrastructure, and availability of about US$ 500 million from India for this purpose, is an important milestone. This major effort would boost economic growth in the region. We are committed to take steps for early implementation of the agreements signed today.

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Friends,

Later today we are going to sign the trilateral Transport and Transit Agreement with participation of Iran, India and Afghanistan. It will be a historic occasion. It will open new routes for India, Iran and Afghanistan to connect among themselves. India and Iran also share a crucial stake in peace, stability and prosperity of the region. We also have shared concerns at the spread of forces of instability, radicalism and terror in our region. We have agreed to consult closely and regularly on combating threats of terrorism, radicalism, drug trafficking and cyber crime. We have also agreed to enhance interaction between our defence and security institutions on regional and maritime security.

Friends,

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The past history of our ties has been rich. President Rouhani and I would leave no stone unturned to work for its glorious future. Our friendship will be a factor of stability in our region. Later today, I look forward to calling on His eminence the Hon’ble Supreme Leader to advance our ties further.

Excellency Rouhani,

I look forward to welcoming you in India to carry forward the agenda of our engagement Where we are now and where we could be is most beautifully said in a couplet from Ghalib. Let me end with it:

जनूनत गरबे नफ्से-खुद तमाम अस्त

ज़े-काशी पा-बे काशान नीम गाम अस्त

[Means: Once we make up our mind, the distance between Kaashi and Kaashan is only half a step]

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I once again sincerely thank you, Excellency for inviting me to Iran.

I also thank you all.

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QuotePM lauds recent innovations in India’s TB Elimination Strategy which enable shorter treatment, faster diagnosis and better nutrition for TB patients
QuotePM calls for strengthening Jan Bhagidari to drive a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach towards eliminating TB
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired a high-level review meeting on the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi earlier today.

Lauding the significant progress made in early detection and treatment of TB patients in 2024, Prime Minister called for scaling up successful strategies nationwide, reaffirming India’s commitment to eliminate TB from India.

Prime Minister reviewed the recently concluded 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan covering high-focus districts wherein 12.97 crore vulnerable individuals were screened; 7.19 lakh TB cases detected, including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic TB cases. Over 1 lakh new Ni-kshay Mitras joined the effort during the campaign, which has been a model for Jan Bhagidari that can be accelerated and scaled across the country to drive a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

Prime Minister stressed the need to analyse the trends of TB patients based on urban or rural areas and also based on their occupations. This will help identify groups that need early testing and treatment, especially workers in construction, mining, textile mills, and similar fields. As technology in healthcare improves, Nikshay Mitras (supporters of TB patients) should be encouraged to use technology to connect with TB patients. They can help patients understand the disease and its treatment using interactive and easy-to-use technology.

Prime Minister said that since TB is now curable with regular treatment, there should be less fear and more awareness among the public.

Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cleanliness through Jan Bhagidari as a key step in eliminating TB. He urged efforts to personally reach out to each patient to ensure they get proper treatment.

During the meeting, Prime Minister noted the encouraging findings of the WHO Global TB Report 2024, which affirmed an 18% reduction in TB incidence (from 237 to 195 per lakh population between 2015 and 2023), which is double the global pace; 21% decline in TB mortality (from 28 to 22 per lakh population) and 85% treatment coverage, reflecting the programme’s growing reach and effectiveness.

Prime Minister reviewed key infrastructure enhancements, including expansion of the TB diagnostic network to 8,540 NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing) labs and 87 culture & drug susceptibility labs; over 26,700 X-ray units, including 500 AI-enabled handheld X-ray devices, with another 1,000 in the pipeline. The decentralization of all TB services including free screening, diagnosis, treatment and nutrition support at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs was also highlighted.

Prime Minister was apprised of introduction of several new initiatives such as AI driven hand-held X-rays for screening, shorter treatment regimen for drug resistant TB, newer indigenous molecular diagnostics, nutrition interventions and screening & early detection in congregate settings like mines, tea garden, construction sites, urban slums, etc. including nutrition initiatives; Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana DBT payments to 1.28 crore TB patients since 2018 and enhancement of the incentive to ₹1,000 in 2024. Under Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative, 29.4 lakh food baskets have been distributed by 2.55 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras.

The meeting was attended by Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Principal Secretary to PM Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary-2 to PM Shri Shaktikanta Das, Adviser to PM Shri Amit Khare, Health Secretary and other senior officials.