New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured strict action in cases of crime against women, amid a huge outrage over the rape and murder of a junior doctor in a hospital in Kolkata.

“The security of women is very important. I will once again tell every state government that crimes against women are unforgivable. No matter who the culprit is, they should not be spared,” PM Modi said at the ‘Lakhpati Didi Sammelan’ in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon today.

The Modi government describes a “Lakhpati Didi” as a self-help group member who earns an annual household income of Rs 1 lakh or more. This income is calculated for at least four agricultural seasons and/or business cycles, with an average monthly income exceeding Rs 10,000, so that it is sustainable.

“We are strengthening laws to ensure stringent punishment for those perpetrating crimes against women,” PM Modi said.

Jalgaon, Maharashtra: ‘The security of women is also very important for our country. I will once again tell every state government that crimes against women are unforgivable. No matter who the culprit is, they should not be spared,’ says PM Modi at the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan pic.twitter.com/6I1SSo9FOk

— IANS (@ians_india) August 25, 2024

The rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital had sparked protests across the nation. It had led to a bitter political battle between West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP leaders over deteriorating condition of women’s safety.

At the Jalgaon event, PM Modi said his government has done more for women in the last 10 years than was done by all the previous regimes since Independence.

“Till 2014, less than Rs 25,000 crore loans were given to women self-help groups, but in the last 10 years, Rs 9 lakh crore was given,” PM Modi said.

Batting for Maharashtra’s BJP-led Mahayuti government, he asked people to ensure support for years for the sake of stability and prosperity. “Maharashtra is the shining star of a developed India. The future of the state lies in more investment and job growth,” PM Modi said.

A file photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Given the “very trusting nature” of the relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, no topic is off-limits for the two leaders when they meet here soon, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

The dates of Mr. Modi’s visit to Moscow will be announced a bit later but preparations for it are already in their final stages, Mr. Peskov said.

Mr. Putin and Mr. Modi will discuss regional and global security, trade and all other topics on the agenda during their meeting, Mr. Peskov was quoted as saying by Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency.

“We (Russia and India) jointly take part in integration processes, so regional affairs, regional security and global security are always on top of the agenda. In addition, of course, our bilateral trade and economic interaction is always a focal point,” the Kremlin official said, answering a question on what topics will be discussed at the negotiations between Mr. Putin and Mr. Modi.

‘Trusting nature’ of ties

Describing Prime Minister Modi’s visit as “very important”, the official noted that Moscow and New Delhi have “mutual political will” to develop cooperation in a variety of areas.

“Given the very trusting nature of the relationship between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi, we can expect that there will be an exchange of views on all issues that are on the agenda, and there are many of them,” Mr. Peskov added.

“We will announce this visit officially later, after coordination with our Indian friends, I can only confirm to you once again that the visit is in the final stages of preparation,” he said, replying to a question on the dates of Mr. Modi’s visit to Russia.

Diplomatic sources in New Delhi had said the Indian Prime Minister’s day-long visit is being planned around July 8, adding there is no finality on the date yet and various options are being explored.

Mr. Modi’s last visit to Russia was in 2019 when he attended an economic conclave in the far east city of Vladivostok.

Summit after 3 years

If Mr. Modi travels to Russia, then he and President Putin are set to hold the India-Russia annual summit after a gap of three years.

The annual summit between the Indian Prime Minister and the Russian President is the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two countries.

So far, 21 annual summits have taken place alternatively in India and Russia.

The last summit was held on December 6, 2021, in New Delhi. Mr. Putin, as head of the Russian state, has visited India nine times.