PM 3-nation tour yields strategic gains: BJP
The BJP on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing three-nation tour has been marked by several “unprecedented” achievements, including a major BrahMos missile deal with Indonesia, agreements on critical minerals and the development of strategic infrastructure that strengthen India’s global standing. Modi is currently on a three-nation visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, party national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha said every foreign visit by Modi reflects the Government’s commitment to development and national progress.
“This visit, too, has been associated with several significant and, in many ways, unprecedented achievements that deserve greater attention,” he said.
Sinha termed the proposed BrahMos missile agreement with Indonesia the “biggest outcome” of the visit and said India has agreed to supply the supersonic cruise missile system to Jakarta under its “largest-ever” defence deal, valued at around Rs 5,400 crore.
“Indonesia becomes the third country, after the Philippines and Vietnam, to procure the BrahMos missile system from India. This is a major endorsement of the Modi Government’s 12-year push for Make in India in defence manufacturing and reflects India’s growing stature as a defence manufacturing hub,” he said, adding that more such agreements with other countries are expected in the future.
Sinha also highlighted cooperation in the critical minerals sector, saying the partnerships with Indonesia and Australia will strengthen India’s semiconductor, electric vehicle and renewable energy ambitions.
“In the last two years, India has signed critical minerals agreements with 25 countries. Indonesia is one of the world’s leading producers of nickel, while Australia is a key source of rare earths. These partnerships will strengthen India’s ambitions in semiconductor manufacturing, EV production and renewable energy,” he said.
On the joint development of Sabang Port in Indonesia’s Aceh province, Sinha said the project would significantly enhance India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific because of its proximity to the Strait of Malacca.
“This is of immense strategic significance because nearly 30 per cent of global maritime trade passes through the Strait of Malacca. If this agreement is viewed alongside India’s Great Nicobar Project, it represents concrete evidence of India’s expanding strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
Stressing the importance of the nuclear energy agreement with Australia to supply uranium to India, Sinha said it would provide further momentum to the country’s efforts to expand nuclear power generation.
“The uranium agreement with Australia provides further momentum to India’s efforts to achieve its target of generating 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047,” he said.
On Modi being conferred Indonesia’s highest civilian honour and his visit to the ninth-century Prambanan Temple, Sinha said the prime minister has consistently promoted India’s civilisational heritage during his foreign visits.
“It is remarkable that in Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country, India’s civilisational and cultural heritage continues to thrive. By visiting such a sacred site, the Prime Minister further highlighted and celebrated India’s enduring civilisational legacy,” Sinha said.
Targeting the Congress over its criticism of Modi’s foreign visits, Sinha said the prime minister’s 35 highest civilian honours reflect his global leadership and vision for the Global South.
“The Congress party fails to rise above petty politics. Yesterday, one of its spokespersons posted a highly irresponsible tweet. By selectively editing and distorting a video involving the number eight, they attempted to create a misleading narrative under the guise of humour. The contrast in thinking is evident.
“Even before the prime minister departed on this visit, the Congress had mocked him by saying he was travelling abroad merely to collect another award,” Sinha said.
“These 35 highest civilian honours are a recognition not just of Prime Minister Modi personally, but of his global leadership and his vision for the Global South,” he added.
He also said Indonesia has committed to invest USD 500 million in India’s infrastructure sector and expressed confidence that India’s engagement with New Zealand will also produce positive outcomes.
