Salient points of press conference of Hon'ble Union Minister and Senior BJP leader Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman

Salient points of Press Conference of Hon'ble Union Minister and Senior BJP leader Smt Nirmala Sitharaman

 

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday addressed a press conference on the recent State Visits of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the United States and Egypt.

 

Smt Sitharaman pointed out to the media various highlights of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US, various agreements and MoUs which were signed during the course of the visit ranging from defense production, employment, technology transfer, etc.

 

The Hon’ble FM said that a bipartisan invitation was given to Prime Minister Modi to address the joint House of the US Congress and that it was a very significant event.

 

“Very few people have got the opportunity to address the US Congress and the Prime Minister was invited by both the parties of America.” She added that for the second time for a PM to be called to address a joint session of the US Congress was a matter of pride for all of us in India.

 

“PM Modi's visit to the US has been historic. I am extremely happy to say that it was a visit where both India and the United States redefined their partnership and established steps which would result in greater realisation of our national goals,” said Smt Sitharaman.

 

“Around 135 nationalities gathered at the UN Headquarters lawns to perform Yoga along with PM Modi during his visit to the US. It is great to note that under Modi's leadership, Yoga is being popularized all over the world,” added the FM.

 

Smt Sitharaman listed out various agreements signed between India and the US in fields ranging from Technology Partnership which included Strengthening of Semiconductor Supply Chains; Critical Minerals Partnership; Advanced Telecommunications, Space; Quantum, Advanced Computing & Artificial Intelligence; Cutting Edge Research; Innovations and Fibre Optics.

 

“As a significant and meaningful milestone in the growth of the semiconductor ecosystem, Micron will set up its semiconductor and test plant in Gujarat entailing a total investment of USD 2.75 billion. It is expected to create nearly 5,000 new direct jobs and around 15,000 indirect jobs over the next few years,” the FM highlighted.

 

In the field of Defence Cooperation, Smt Sitharaman pointed to the agreement between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for joint production of F414 engines.

 

“These engines will be used for Tejas aircrafts of HAL - a company about which Indian opposition often sheds ‘crocodile tears’,” the FM said. India is funding the establishment of a Tamil Studies Chair at the University of Houston, the Finance Minister highlighted.

 

The FM pointed out that the US Navy has concluded a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with Larsen and Toubro Shipyard in Kattupalli (Chennai) and is finalising agreements with Mazagon Dock Limited (Mumbai) and Goa Shipyard (Goa) to allow mid-voyage US Navy ships to undergo service and repair at Indian shipyards.

 

Smt Sitharaman said that the rapid investment in semiconductor & other technologies is benefitting the people of India.

 

“As per NASSCOM, if 100 Global Centres are being established globally for the purpose of data protection & related matters, 50 are already close to completion in India. The remaining 50 too have majorly Indians working in them. It's testament to our increasing leadership in this sphere,” she said.

 

On the Prime Minister’s State Visit to Egypt, Smt Sitharaman pointed out to the fact that PM Modi received Egypt’s highest honour, the 'Order of the Nile', a matter of great pride for India and its citizens.

 

“Till date, PM Modi has been awarded highest civilian awards in 13 countries, out of which 6 have Muslim population in majority,” the FM highlighted.

 

Smt Sitharaman apprised the media that during his visit to Egypt – a first by an Indian Prime Minister since 1997 – PM Modi also met the Grand Mufti of Egypt Shawki Ibrahem Abdel-Karim Allam and the Indian diaspora in the country.

 

“The Grand Mufti appreciated the PM's leadership in fostering inclusivity and pluralism. Hon’ble PM said India would set up a Centre of Excellence in IT at the Dar Al-Ifta under the Ministry of Social Justice of Egypt,” the FM said.

 

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