World Government Summit: PM Modi holds bilateral meetings with UAE PM, Madagascar president
Dubai (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and discussed a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including trade and investment.
"Strengthening India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership! PM @narendramodi met VP & PM of UAE @HHShkMohd in Dubai. Discussions covered a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including trade & investment, technology, education, and people-to-people ties," said a post on the official X handle of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
In another meeting with Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina, Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to further strengthen India-Madagascar partnership and help in the developmental journey of his island nation.
A first meeting between the two leaders, Modi and Rajoelina met on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit here.
"Both leaders recognized the long-standing friendly relations and ancient geographical ties between the two countries. They discussed ways to advance bilateral ties and appreciated the close cooperation between the two countries in various multilateral fora, including the UN," an MEA statement said.
Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to "further strengthen India-Madagascar partnership" and to Vision SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region, it said.
Modi also conveyed that as a fellow developing country in the Indian Ocean Region, India will remain a committed partner in the developmental journey of Madagascar, the MEA added.
Modi, while speaking at the Summit, elaborated on a wide range of subjects that strengthened the conversations around building a better planet and also sought reforms in global governance institutions.
After signing multiple bilateral agreements with the UAE, and attending the high-voltage Ahlan Modi' event that saw massive participation from the Indian diaspora, PM Modi is set to inaugurate the largest Hindu stone temple in Abu Dabhi.
After attending the World Governments Summit, he is headed to Doha to meet the leadership in Qatar as part of his two-day visit to the Gulf region.
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CM Siddaramaiah's economic advisor denies saying 'Karnataka is no: 1 in corruption'
Bengaluru, Apr 9 (PTI): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s economic advisor, Basavaraj Rayareddi, on Wednesday said he never claimed that "Karnataka is number one in corruption" during the tenure of the present Congress government.
Rayareddi issued a clarification after a few publications in Karnataka reported that, during a review meeting by a committee for the redressal of regional imbalance, he had told officers that Karnataka tops the country in corruption.
Accusing the media of twisting his statement made in Koppal, the Yelburga Congress MLA said he had only highlighted the perception that "Karnataka is branded as the most corrupt state", which, he said, is unfortunate.
"I did not say that corruption has increased during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s tenure. It’s a phenomenon that has been prevailing for the past two to three decades," Rayareddi told reporters here.
Insisting that he never made such a statement at a press conference, Rayareddi claimed, "I never said Karnataka is the number one corrupt state. I only said that Karnataka is branded as the most corrupt state. This impression has been created due to the poor governance by the previous BJP and JD(S) governments."
The MLA said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was doing commendable work by ensuring fair administration and was supported by dynamic ministers such as Krishna Byre Gowda and Priyank Kharge.
"Our government is doing good work. I support our Chief Minister because he is doing a good job. Whether he makes me a minister or removes me from this assignment (as economic advisor), I will continue to support him," Rayareddi said.
His remarks gave ammunition to the opposition, which has been alleging rampant corruption in the state.
BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan appreciated the Yelburga MLA for being candid in “accepting” that corruption has increased in Karnataka.
"We are happy that at least someone from within the Congress spoke about it," Narayan said.
In response, Rayareddi hit out at the BJP and JD(S), saying these two parties brought a bad name to Karnataka, and that some of their ministers had even gone to jail during their tenure.
Rayareddi said he was clear in his speech in Koppal on Tuesday that corruption had increased over the last few decades without blaming any one political party.
According to him, "corruption in North Karnataka is more prevalent compared to the old Mysuru region."
He also remarked that schools built these days collapse within five years, while those built during his father’s time remain intact for decades.
The MLA said he was concerned that corruption has escalated mainly due to electoral politics and felt that a public discussion on the issue was long overdue.
"I am happy that the media presented half the truth about what I said. At least this way, a discussion to curb corruption has begun," he quipped.
