Modi’s week-end programmes: Meeting on SEZ, sail aboard Vikramaditya and Bhutan visit

New Delhi, 13 June, 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet officials on Saturday to sort out Special Economic Zone woes. Issues such as impact of imposition of minimum alternate tax (MAT) and dividend distribution tax (DDT) on SEZs; issues of conflict between revenue and commerce department will come up for discussion in the meeting. Besides other things, the issues concerning inter- ministerial differences, especially between the finance and the commerce ministries over tax sops and loss of revenue are also likely to come for scrutiny at the meeting.

On Saturday, Shri Modi will also visit Goa to sail on board of Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. Shri Modi will visit Bhutan on Sunday. This will be his first foreign visit.

The Prime Minister would be embarking the ‘carrier at sea’ by helicopter and is likely to witness a host of exercises by the frontline warships and aircraft of the Indian Navy. He would be received at INS Hansa (Naval Air Station at Goa) by the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan and a 150 men ceremonial ‘Guard of Honour’ would be presented to him on arrival.

During the day, the Prime Minister would witness ‘Air Power Demonstration’ by various naval aircraft including MiG 29K, Sea Harriers, P 8 I Long Range Maritime Patrol Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft, TU 142M, IL 38 SD, Dorniers, Kamov and Sea King helicopters. He will also watch high speed manoeuvres by Western Fleet ships including aircraft carrier INS Viraat, Delhi class destroyers, Talwar class frigates etc. The Prime minister shall also witness the take-off and ‘arrestor wire landing operations’ and high speed low level operations of MiG29 K integral fighters onboard the flight deck of INS Vikramaditya.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet and interact with the crew onboard and address the officers and sailors of the Indian Navy. This is Modi’s first visit to any state after taking oath as the Prime Minister on May 26. He will be accompanied by Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar during his visit to the Naval base in Goa.

On Sunday Shri Modi will visit Bhutan which will be his first foreign tour after becoming Prime Minister.

He will meet Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay during his two-day visit during which the two sides will explore ways to give a boost to their ties, particularly in trade and hydro-electricity.

Modi, who will be accompanied by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, will also address the joint session of the National Assembly and National Council of Bhutan and meet the Leader of the Opposition.

“Bhutan is one of our most important strategic partners.. It is a very good country to show our policy of good neighbourliness in South Asia and special token of our friendship,” the Foreign Secretary told a press conference here while briefing on the visit.

She was explaining why Bhutan was chosen as the first foreign destination of Modi.

“Our relations with Bhutan are unique and especially warm. Our historical and cultural linkages make us natural friends and partners,” she said.