During a rally in Gujarat’s Junagadh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a significant achievement of his government: the discovery of over 1300 islands across the oceans near India using satellite technology. He spoke of his vision to leverage the tourism potential of these newfound islands to bolster India’s tourism sector.
Touching upon the controversy surrounding Katchatheevu island, PM Modi remarked that during the Congress era, the Union government lacked clarity on the exact count of India’s islands. “So, I commissioned a satellite survey and discovered 1,300 islands. Some rival the size of Singapore. We plan to develop a few for tourism,” he added.
PM Modi highlighted Congress leader’s recent statements
PM Modi also highlighted recent statements from a Congress leader discussing the idea of separating south India to form a new nation, along with similar sentiments expressed by members of the opposition INDI alliance. He criticised the Congress for what he termed as an inherited partition mindset, citing the party’s acceptance of India’s partition in the past.
In reference to the Katchatheevu island issue, PM Modi accused the Congress of gifting it to Sri Lanka almost three decades ago, alleging it was done for personal gain. He emphasised the role of Sardar Patel in preventing Junagadh from joining Pakistan, warning that a Congress led government could jeopardise national interests.
PM Modi cautioned that the Congress, if in power, might neglect national assets, citing examples of uninhabited islands given away and expressing concerns that they might even consider selling Himalayan peaks if unchecked.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the current Lok Sabha elections were not about his personal aspirations but about realising his larger mission for the nation. Stressing the significance of a robust and steady government, he noted its importance not just for India but for the global community as well.
“These elections aren’t about fulfilling my ambitions, as people already did that in 2014. The 2024 elections are about advancing Modi’s vision,” he remarked. Criticising the Congress for what he termed as a “dangerous mentality,” Modi pointed out.
