PM Modi condoles demise of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari
In a message posted on social media platform X, Modi said he was deeply saddened by the passing of former President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari.
"I fondly recall our meetings and conversations on various occasions. His wisdom, warmth and unwavering commitment to India-Nigeria friendship stood out. I join the 1.4 billion people of India in extending our heartfelt condolences to his family, the people and the government of Nigeria,' the PM said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
a minute ago
- First Post
India's Northeast: The new frontier in critical mineral security
The world is racing towards clean energy and digitisation, making critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, rare earths, graphite, and vanadium indispensable to 21st-century economies. These minerals form the backbone of modern technologies—from electric vehicles to semiconductors, from solar panels to defence equipment—yet the supply chain remains fragile and geopolitically vulnerable, risks India cannot afford to ignore. Therein lies the transformative opportunity: India's Northeast. Northeast India—comprising Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—was long treated as a remote periphery, but the narrative has changed since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister. Today, the Northeast has been prioritised like never before—politically, economically, and strategically. Infrastructure projects are now transforming the terrain and connecting the region to other parts of India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a major development this month, the government announced that the Northeast is home to several critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, chromium, rare earths, graphite, and vanadium. The National Mineral Exploration Trust's ongoing survey has identified 38 blocks in the region, and seven have been cleared for auction. For a region that has long been at the margins of economic planning, these discoveries mark an opportunity for the Northeast to become a key player in India's clean energy and mineral self-sufficiency. The focus must now move from discovery to delivery—building infrastructure, refining capacity, and establishing a policy framework that transforms the Northeast's mineral wealth into a foundation for supply chain resilience and long-term economic growth. This will require a coordinated effort at multiple levels. First, connectivity must be accelerated. Although the road, railway, and air infrastructure has improved in the Northeast over the past decade, much more is needed. Projects like the East-West Corridor, expansion of the Trans-Arunachal Highway, and enhanced rail connectivity to the region should be a priority for the government. Improved connectivity is essential to reduce logistics costs and to integrate the region more seamlessly into the national supply chain. It will also give impetus to the Act East Policy, as the Northeast's location as a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia will facilitate smoother partnerships with allied countries in the region. This would help create a secure, resilient critical minerals supply chain and contribute to India's role in shaping a rules-based Indo-Pacific order. Second, investment in local value addition is a must. While the discovery of these critical mineral reserves is important, there must also be investments in technologies required for processing and refining them. Investment in R&D should be a core focus, as it will help India acquire the necessary technical expertise and reduce its reliance on China in the domain of critical minerals. Currently, China dominates the global critical minerals supply chain and has not hesitated to weaponise this dominance—whether in trade wars with the United States or in restricting exports to countries that threaten its interests. India, too, has been a victim of China's monopolistic behaviour, particularly in segments like solar manufacturing and electric vehicles. Therefore, the Northeast cannot remain on the sidelines. These discoveries place the region at the heart of India's ambition to become a manufacturing and technological hub and offer an opportunity for India to become a trusted global supply chain partner—especially to countries seeking to reduce their dependence on China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Modi is uniquely positioned to unlock the economic and strategic potential of Northeast India. No other Prime Minister in recent history has shown the will and foresight to integrate the region with the rest of India as he has. Under PM Modi, the 'Look East' policy was transformed into the more ambitious and action-oriented 'Act East' policy. This was not merely a strategic rebranding—it translated into tangible on-ground developments. Major investments, such as the Tata Group's semiconductor plant in Assam, demonstrate that the region is no longer seen as a marginal player, but as a central part of India's growth story. Over the past decade, the region has witnessed sustained and significant infrastructure development. National highways have expanded, airports have not only been modernized but new airports have also been added. Initiatives such as UDAN have connected previously inaccessible districts like Pasighat, Tezu, and Rupsi to the rest of India, opening the region to tourism and commerce. Railway lines have increased, and power projects have been scaled up. The completion of the Bogibeel Bridge in Assam—the longest rail-cum-road bridge in India—showcases the Prime Minister's commitment to regional integration. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Union government's vision continues to grow, as seen in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's 2025–2026 Budget Speech, where she announced that 120 new airports will be connected within a decade and that helipads will be prioritized. This will be particularly beneficial for the Northeast. It shows there is awareness within the highest echelons of power that development of the region is not just about regional equity, but is essential for national growth and strategic readiness. Conclusion The discovery of critical minerals in the Northeast is not just a geological breakthrough—it is a discovery that can help India take a giant step toward economic resilience and self-sufficiency. India must act with clarity and urgency—ramping up infrastructure, investing in R&D, and aligning state and central policies seamlessly. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the region has been reconnected with the rest of the country. If managed properly, the Northeast's mineral wealth can propel India to become a reliable partner in the global supply chain. Execution is key. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The writer is Research Fellow, India Foundation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Hans India
a minute ago
- Hans India
Out of 4 crore pucca houses under PMAY, 60 lakh beneficiaries in Bihar alone: PM Modi
Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday enumerated the list of Central welfare schemes benefitting the residents of Bihar and also reiterated the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government's resolve to build "new Bihar". PM Modi, on a visit to Bihar's Motihari district, launched a slew of infrastructural projects worth over Rs 7,200 crore and addressed a large public gathering where he outlined the government's unwavering focus on people's welfare, unlike the previous regime, when the state was "discriminated against" during the UPA era. He said that Bihar alone accounts for 60 lakh, out of 4 crore pucca houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and mocked the RJD's era of "jungle raj", saying, "During RJD-Congress rule, it was not only impossible for the poor to get such houses but also people feared getting their houses whitewashed. They feared that if they did, they would be abducted." "In Motihari alone, more than 3 lakh families have got pucca houses till date," he said. PM Modi further highlighted how the farmers of Bihar are slated to benefit from the Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet two days ago. "Under the scheme, 100 districts will be identified, which have adequate farming opportunities but lag in terms of productivity and monetary returns. More than 1.75 crore farmers will benefit from this, and a lot of them would be from Bihar," the Prime Minister told the crowd. He said the way Eastern countries of the world have become the engine for global growth, Bihar should become the growth hub for the country. "The vision of the BJP and NDA is that when Bihar progresses, the country will progress. Our resolve is - a prosperous Bihar, employment for every youth," he said. To ensure the youth of Bihar get maximum employment opportunities within the state, rapid work is being done across multiple sectors, he said. "The Nitish government has provided appointments to lakhs of youth in the state. He has made new resolutions for the employment of Bihar's youth, and the Central government is standing shoulder to shoulder with it," PM Modi further remarked. The Prime Minister concluded his address with a punchline, "Banayenge naya Bihar, phir ek baar NDA sarkaar" (Will make a New Bihar, with NDA government again).
NDTV
15 minutes ago
- NDTV
PM Modi Flags Off 4 Amrit Bharat Trains, Inaugurates Development Projects In Bihar
Motihari: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off four new Amrit Bharat trains in Bihar's Motihari on Friday and also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 7,200 crore. The Amrit Bharat will runs between Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna) and New Delhi, Bapudham Motihari and Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal), Darbhanga and Lucknow (Gomti Nagar), and Malda Town and Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) via Bhagalpur. PM Modi also handed over keys to some beneficiaries as part of the Griha Pravesh ceremony for 12,000 beneficiaries and released over Rs 160 crore to 40,000 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin. He also released Rs 400 crore to around 61,500 Self-Help Groups in Bihar under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). With a special focus on women-led development, over 10 crore women have been connected to Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The visit by PM Modi comes ahead of the Assembly elections, which are set to be held in the state later this year. In line with his commitment to boost connectivity and infrastructure, PM Modi dedicated multiple rail projects to the nation. It includes automatic signalling between the Samastipur-Bachhwara rail line that will enable efficient train operations in this section. The doubling of the Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur rail lines is part of the Darbhanga-Samastipur doubling project, worth over Rs 580 crore, which will enhance the capacity of train operations and reduce delays. Another rail project includes the development of infrastructure for maintaining Vande Bharat trains at Patliputra. Automatic signalling on the Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin rail line (114 km) to enable streamlined train operations. Upgradation of the traction system in the Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin section to enable higher train speeds by strengthening the traction system infrastructure and optimising energy efficiency. The Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj rail line doubling project is worth approximately Rs 4,080 crore, aimed at increasing sectional capacity, enabling the operation of more passenger and freight trains, and strengthening connectivity between North Bihar and the rest of the country. The assembly elections in Bihar are expected to be held later this year, in October or November. However, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date. While the NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will once again seek to continue its stint in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD, Congress, and left parties, will aim to unseat Nitish Kumar. In the current Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consists of 131 members, with the BJP having 80 MLAs, JD(U) having 45, HAM(S) having 4, and the support of 2 Independent Candidates. The Opposition's INDIA Bloc comprises 111 members, with the RJD leading with 77 MLAs, followed by Congress with 19, CPI(ML) with 11, CPI(M) with 2, and CPI with 2.
