PM Narendra Modi defends Raghuram Rajan, indirectly slams Subramanian Swamy; speaks on job creation, China, stability
Praising Raghuram Rajan, PM Narendra Modi has said that his experience with the RBI governor has been “good”.
In an interview with Times Now, PM Modi said, “My experience with him has been good and I appreciate the work that he has done.”
Indirectly slamming his party MP Subramanian Swamy, PM Modi said that Rajan was no less “patriotic”.
“He (Rajan) is no less patriotic. He loves India. Wherever he will work, he will work for India and he is patriotic,” Modi said when asked what his take was on his party MP calling Rajan “not fully Indian”.
“Whether it is in my party or not, still I think such things are inappropriate. This fondness for publicity is never going to do any good to the nation. People should conduct themselves with utmost responsibility. If anybody considers himself above the system, it is wrong,” Modi hit out.
This is the first time that the Prime Minister has spoken on Rajan after the latter announced his intention of not taking up a second term at RBI. Rajan has been criticised by Swamy on multiple accounts.
Swamy has also recently attacked CEA Arvind Subramananian and Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das.
Last week, Jaitley had defended Arvind Subramananian saying, “We have full confidence in CEA, his advice is of great value.” “To what extent should we take this?”, Jaitley asked referring to politicians attacking those in government.
Jaitley chose the forum of the new textile policy announcements to publicly defend his CEA.
While that got the Rajya Sabha MP to say he was ‘suspending’ his demand for the CEA’s dismissal, he chose to go after economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das on Wednesday—in response to a tweet on Das, Swamy said he thought “there (was) a property deal case pending against him for assisting PC (P Chidambaram) swallow Mahabalipuram prime locations”.
PM Narendra Modi: ‘Government’s key priority is job creation for youth’
PM Narendra Modi today said that the govt’s key priority is job-creation. In an exclusive interview to Times Now, PM Modi said, “ Initiatives such as Startup India, Standup India, port activity are meant for the middle class, job creation for youth is key priority.”
Our focus is on all aspects, PM said when asked if the govt’s top priority is entrepreneurship.
“We are saying that by 2022 we want to ensure that everyone has a house, Housing for all scheme will help in giving employment to many people”, he added.
Our central focus is creating employment for the ordinary citizen, he said.
‘Our soldiers have full freedom to give befitting reply to terrorist attacks’
PM Narendra Modi has said that soldiers have the full freedom to respond to attacks in whichever way they deem fit. In an interview to Times Now, PM Modi said, “We are very proud of our Jawans for their courage. They are courageously foiling attacks by terrorists.”
“There is more pressure on terrorists since our soldiers are foiling entry bid. Those who are at the border are doing their duty, those at the Centre will continue to do theirs,” Modi said.
“India wants to be friends with its neighbors without compromising on our interests and rights. We want to live in peace, that is the supreme objective,” PM said. “India and Pakistan both have to fight poverty, we can fight it together, I have said this time and again,” he added.
PM Modi said that Pakistan is finding it increasingly difficult to give answers for its policies on the global stage. “All the steps that I have taken, be it going to Lahore or calling Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, all of them have ensured that the world is standing with India with regards to our policy on Pakistan,” PM Modi said.
“Had we created obstacles in the path to talks with Pakistan, the world would have questioned us. Now everyone is asking Pakistan, and Pakistan is finding it increasingly difficult to give answers. The world is unanimously appreciating India’s position on Pakistan,” Modi said.
PM Narendra Modi on China: ‘For the first time we are talking eye to eye’
Narendra Modi today said,“Although we are different countries and have different mindsets, it’s important to note that for the first time we are talking eye to eye with China, and there will be no compromise on the interest of India and Indians.”
In an interview to Times Now, PM Narendra Modi spoke on a variety of issues that our country is facing today along with the areas where we have moved forward, including China’s refusal to support India’s NSG bid, Pakistan’s policies towards India to the stepping down of Raghuram Rajan and black money to Augusta scam.
PM Modi’s reaction comes in the wake of China’s continued stonewalling of India’s bid for NSG membership despite a fresh push by the US as the 48-nation grouping remained divided over the entry of a non-NPT signatory country like India. The Chinese Foreign Ministry sang different tunes, first saying that it was not targeting any country such as India or Pakistan and then taking a swipe at the US for backing India’s case citing the rule that countries which have not signed the NPT should not be allowed into NSG. China is seeking to equate India with its impeccable non-proliferation record with that of Pakistan for which it is batting.
When asked about China’s blocking of India’s bid to join the elite NSG, he said the dialogues are important and its has been going on for a while. He believes despite contradictory views of various policies, talking and dialogues between the countries is the only solution.
He says that on some issues, it’s a question of principles for them. On some issues, it’s a question of principles for us. He says that foreign policies are all about common meeting points, and the good thing is that he believes is the fact that China has always been co-operative when it comes to discussions and there has been attempts to reach a mutual understanding.
Narendra Modi said that when he first became a Prime Minister he saw it more as a responsibility than just a job. His work has always been directed towards the poor. Even though his work, the city and the Parliament were new, in such a small time the country has progressed at a tremendous speed. And the development has not been in just one area. Before this government, he says, the country and the system were engulfed in disappointment. But now he can say with confidnce that there is no disappointment because the county has progressed. The poor have bank account, etc that has helped in the growth of confidence.
‘Political stability biggest strength of government’s foreign policy’
Stating political stability as the biggest strength of government’s foreign policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an exclusive interview to Times Now said that it is only after 30 years a government with a full majority was elected.
“Biggest strength of our foreign policy- political stability. After 30 years a government with a full majority was elected.”
He said, “Modi’s personality shouldn’t be a hindrance for the world to have faith in India. The govt works as a team. The impact that is now visible, is not just because of Modi, it is because of the team”.
“I was not born into a political family so meeting world leaders was not something I had done as a regular part of my life”, he added.
On NSG membership he said, “It’s during our tenure that we achieved SCO membership, we also got the MTCR membership. I have full faith that now we have begun a coordinated effort for the NSG membership too”.
‘We have instilled a spirit of trust; no sector untouched by change’
Stating that his biggest achievement till date is bringing about a change in every sector, PM Narendra Modi today said, “There is an attempt to bring about change in everything. I am very satisfied that there is no disappointment now when it comes to India and Indians.”
In an interview to Times Now, PM Modi said, “This is not a post for me, it’s my work. I have said that this government will be dedicated to poor. Delhi was new for me, atmosphere was new, the whole running of government was new. Despite that, in such less time, the way the nation has progressed, not just in one aspect, pick up on any aspect and compare it to the previous government, we have left no issue untouched.”
“We had said that within a time frame we will open bank accounts for the poor, something that has not been done till now,” he said.
The Prime Minister went on to say, “I faced multiple challenges. I wasn’t experienced on the functioning of the Parliament, questions were new.” “When we took charge there was an atmosphere of despondency. There was news that coal production was so less that electricity would not be available after 7 days. To instill new confidence in the system and people was a big challenge,” he said.
