Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2025 Conference and Exhibition in Delhi, India, on March 27 (Delhi time) and received the APAIE flag from the President of the APAIE, Professor Venky Shankararaman, officially announcing that the next APAIE Conference and Exhibition will be held in Hong Kong.
In her speech at the closing ceremony of the Conference, Dr Choi said that Hong Kong, as Asia’s world city, offers a unique confluence of global connectivity, world-class infrastructure and rich cultural experiences for all APAIE Conference participants. Dr Choi also noted that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) forms a world-class innovation hub, providing vast opportunities for academic collaborations. She sincerely invited overseas partners to attend the APAIE Conference next year in Hong Kong to build connections in teaching and research collaboration with representatives from the city and around the globe.
The APAIE Conference and Exhibition is the largest education conference in Asia-Pacific region. The conference in 2026 will be held from February 23 to 27 by the Chinese University of Hong Kong with support from the other University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities. The conference will gather leaders and representatives from the higher education sector worldwide in Hong Kong and offer local post-secondary institutions an opportunity to further enhance co-operation and exchanges with their counterparts around the world. Coinciding with the 2025 ranking of the world’s most international universities published by the Times Higher Education last week, in which four UGC-funded universities claimed all top four spots, the holding of the next APAIE Conference and Exhibition in Hong Kong highlights the city’s image as an international hub for post-secondary education.
At the Conference this year, Dr Choi also delivered a speech under the theme “Study in Hong Kong”. She said that Hong Kong is renowned for its vibrancy, high quality of life and safety, making it an exceptional study destination. With Hong Kong’s aspirations to become an international hub for post-secondary education, as well as its pursuit of excellence in teaching and research, five publicly funded universities of Hong Kong rank among the world’s top 100.
The Secretary-General of the UGC, Professor James Tang, also spoke at a seminar of the Conference to elaborate on Hong Kong’s edges in higher education, among which, around one in every four students and around 70 per cent of academic staff of UGC-funded universities come from outside Hong Kong. The institutions have also signed over 2 600 student exchange agreements with their counterparts worldwide, underscoring their achievement in enhancing diversity in higher education and strengthening collaboration with institutions from other places.
Dr Choi visited the Hong Kong Pavilion, which was set up by the Heads of Universities Committee Standing Committee on Internationalisation and funded by the UGC, to learn about the proactive work of the UGC-funded universities in expanding their international network as well as their promotion for recruiting students from more places to undertake further studies and exchanges in Hong Kong. In addition, she toured various booths at the Exhibition and exchanged views with representatives from different countries and regions on the development and promotion of post-secondary education.
On March 28 (Delhi time), Dr Choi will pay a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to India, Mr Xu Feihong, to introduce Hong Kong’s latest education policy. She will then conclude the visit and return to Hong Kong.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The third session of the 14th National People’s Congress and the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) (“two sessions”) were successfully held in March this year. The Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) and the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies (CAHKMS) today (March 27) co-organised a seminar titled “The Spirit of ‘Two Sessions’ and Hong Kong’s Integration into National Development in the New Era”. The event facilitated in-depth exchanges and interactive discussions on the key takeaways of this year’s “two sessions” and their implications for Hong Kong’s future development.
The President of the CAHKMS, Dr Deng Zhonghua, delivered the opening address, while Vice Chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges Dr Wang Yiming and Deputy Director of the CPPCC Economic Affairs Committee Dr Yin Yanlin served as keynote speakers. The Head of the CEPU, Dr Stephen Wong, gave the closing remarks. Nearly 120 representatives from various sectors attended the seminar, including members of local think tanks, research institutes of universities, professional organisations, chambers of commerce, CEPU Expert Group, as well as vice presidents, council members and advisors of the CAHKMS. During the Q&A session, participants actively engaged with the speakers, and they had in-depth and lively exchanges and discussions.
Dr Wong said, “I am very grateful to the CAHKMS, especially President Deng Zhonghua, for facilitating this collaboration between the CEPU and the Association, allowing us to collectively study the spirit of the ‘two sessions’ from a research and think-tank perspective. I also extend my sincere gratitude to Dr Wang Yiming and Dr Yin Yanlin for their insightful presentations on macroeconomics and industrial development respectively.”
“This year marks the conclusion of the national 14th Five-Year Plan and the commencement of preparation for the 15th Five-Year Plan. The CEPU will continue to strengthen our research efforts, incorporating the spirit of the ‘two sessions’ into our work to support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in leveraging the institutional advantages of ‘one country, two systems’, enhancing Hong Kong’s role as a bridge connecting domestic and global markets, and uniting society to further deepen reforms comprehensively,” he added.
Established in December 2022, the CEPU serves as an in-house research unit of the HKSAR Government, tasked with enhancing the Government’s capabilities in research and advocacy on long-term and strategic issues, thereby providing the Chief Executive with multifaceted perspectives and basis for research. The CAHKMS, established in December 2013, is a national civil academic organisation under the administration of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. It aims to organise and co-ordinate research on the theory and practice of “one country, two systems”, strengthen academic exchanges and co-operation among Hong Kong, Macao, and the Mainland in relevant fields, and perform the functions as a civil think tank.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Department of Health (DH) today (March 27) is investigating a case of illegal sale of slimming products containing undeclared controlled drug ingredients on the Internet and urged the public not to buy or consume the products concerned (see photo).
Acting upon intelligence, the DH purchased on a social media platform some slimming products, reportedly obtained from overseas, for analysis. The laboratory test results revealed that the samples of some products contained frusemide, metformin and thyroxine. All of them are Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (PPO).
The packages of the products concerned have Thai, Chinese and English characters, and are suspected to be unregistered pharmaceutical products. The DH will continue to follow up and investigate the case.
Frusemide is used for the treatment of heart diseases and its side effects include low blood pressure and electrolyte imbalance. Metformin is used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its side effects include nausea and diarrhoea. Thyroxine is used for the treatment of hypothyroidism and its side effects include arrhythmia and hypertension. Medicines containing these ingredients should be used under a doctor’s directions and be supplied on the premises of an Authorized Seller of Poisons (i.e. pharmacy) under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor’s prescription.
According to the PPO, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
The DH strongly urged members of the public not to buy or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of “HK-XXXXX”. The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.
People who have purchased the products concerned should stop consuming them immediately and consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or if they feel unwell after consumption. They may submit the products to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1804-06, 18/F, Wing On Kowloon Centre, 345 Nathan Road, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 27) announced that the winter influenza season, which started in early January 2025, has come to an end. The relatively low number of severe and death cases this season is believed to be the result of the concerted and comprehensive efforts of various stakeholders in the community and the public to increase the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) rate. On the other hand, the CHP anticipates the activity of other respiratory infectious diseases, including COVID-19, to become more active as Hong Kong enters spring and summer. Members of the public are reminded to remain vigilant, and high risk groups should receive COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
Influenza season is over
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“The CHP has been closely monitoring the local seasonal influenza activity through a series of indicators. Since the start of the winter influenza season in early January this year, the seasonal influenza activity in Hong Kong has continued to increase and remained at the highest level from late January to early February and then gradually declined. According to surveillance data as of March 22, the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for seasonal influenza viruses was 2.3 per cent, and the public hospital admission rate related to influenza was 0.12 per 10 000 population. Both dropped below the baseline levels. The weekly number of influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools and institutions also dropped from more than 20 in January to February to an average of 12 in the last two weeks. As various indicators suggest that the influenza virus is at a low activity level, the CHP assesses that the influenza season is over,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui said.
He noted that the current influenza season lasted for about 11 weeks, about the same length as in the past. Since only one influenza virus strain, i.e. influenza A (H1), predominated during the period, the influenza season was not prolonged due to a shift in virus strains.
“As in the past, severe or death cases related to seasonal influenza continued to affect primarily the elderly and children. Compared to the 2018/19 influenza season prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was also dominated by influenza A (H1), the 488 severe cases involving adults recorded this season was about 20 per cent lower than the 2018/19 influenza season, when 601 cases were recorded. For children, 10 cases of severe influenza-associated complications were recorded this season (without deaths), which was nearly 60 per cent lower than 24 cases (including one death) recorded in the 2018/19 influenza season. We believe that this is the result of the general public’s willingness to receive the seasonal flu vaccine,” Dr Tsui said.
With the concerted efforts of all sectors of the community (including the medical sector, schools, parents and residential care homes), as of March 23 this year, a total of about 2.07 million doses of vaccine were administered under various SIV programmes in the year 2024/25, representing an increase of about 12.2 per cent over the same period of the last influenza vaccination season and exceeding the total number of doses (about 1.87 million doses) administered last season, which is a record high. The coverage rates exceeded 50 per cent in most age groups, ranging from 51.3 per cent to 73.8 per cent. The coverage rates increased in all relevant age groups compared with the same period last season. The Hospital Authority (HA) also actively dovetails with the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme of the Government in providing free influenza vaccination to eligible persons under the programme at its general and specialist out-patient clinics. As of March 23 this year, the HA has administered a total of about 580 000 doses of vaccine to the above-mentioned persons, representing an increase of about 18.4 per cent compared with the previous influenza vaccination season. In addition, to better protect patients, staff and their families, approximately 60 500 HA staff have received seasonal influenza vaccines. This number also increased by 11.8 per cent compared with the previous season.
The number of schools participating in the SIV School Outreach Programme has also increased significantly this year. About 1 020 kindergartens/child care centres (97 per cent), about 640 primary schools (98 per cent) and about 490 secondary schools (98 per cent) have completed or will conduct SIV school outreach activities, which is higher than the participation rates in year 2023/24 (80 per cent of kindergartens/child care centres, 95 per cent of primary schools and 70 per cent of secondary schools).
“On March 21, 2025, the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) under the CHP issued recommendations on the seasonal influenza vaccines to be used and the priority groups for receiving vaccination for the upcoming 2025/26 influenza season in Hong Kong, after reviewing the scientific evidence, local data, the latest World Health Organization recommendations and overseas practices. The Government is proactively planning for the 2025/26 SIV Programmes, including liaising with vaccine suppliers on the availability of vaccines for the upcoming season in preparation for vaccine procurement, planning for the provision of nasal live-attenuated influenza vaccines to all schools, and allowing all schools to choose between injectable inactivated influenza vaccine and nasal live-attenuated influenza vaccine at the same or different outreach vaccination activities, in order to provide further facilitation and encourage all schools to participate in the SIV School Outreach Programme in the coming season,” Dr Tsui added.
Regarding the 2025/26 SIV Programmes, the Government will also explore the feasibility of procuring some influenza vaccines for participating private doctors participating in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme and is obtaining information from suppliers about the market supply situation. An announcement will be made at an appropriate time.
“The SIV coverage rates for children aged 6 months to under 2 years and people aged between 50 and 64 remained relatively low at about 26.8 per cent and 25.3 per cent respectively. Although slightly higher than that of the same period last season, it was still lower than that of other age groups. Targeting these two age groups with relatively lower vaccination rates, the Government will strengthen targeted publicity in the coming season and enhance collaboration with family doctors to encourage their clients in the community to receive seasonal influenza vaccines to safeguard the health of the public,” Dr Tsui added.
Prevention of other respiratory infectious diseases
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Although the winter influenza season is over, members of the public should not overlook the presence of those respiratory pathogens that will become more active in spring and summer, including rhinovirus/enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus and summer influenza season.
Furthermore, there has been a recent increase in the activity of COVID-19 in the local community. In the past three weeks, the load of SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the percentage of specimens tested positive and the average consultation rate of COVID-19 cases in general out-patient clinics have continued to rise from low levels. As of March 22, the viral load per capita of SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 260 000 copy/litre, which was significantly higher than the previous week ending March 15, when it was 85 000 copy/litre.
“The public should maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene. Furthermore, high-risk persons should receive COVID-19 booster doses at appropriate times to lower the risks of serious illness and death. Genetic analysis has shown that the most predominant circulating strains in Hong Kong are still JN.1 and its descendant lineages, and the vaccines currently used in Hong Kong can effectively prevent the related variant,” Dr Tsui said.
“Scientific data shows that timely booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk persons help lower the risk of severe illness and death. Members of the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those at high risk (particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities) should receive a booster dose as soon as possible for effective prevention against COVID-19,” he added.
Dr Tsui reminded members of the public that anyone with symptoms of a respiratory infection, even if the symptoms are mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly to lower the risk of spreading the disease to high-risk persons.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the 18th meeting of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) today (March 27).
At the meeting, members were briefed by government representatives on the latest implementation progress of the Youth Development Blueprint since its release in December 2022. Members were pleased to note that bureaux and departments have been promoting youth development work at full steam in accordance with the guiding principles as stated in the Blueprint. Apart from implementing some 160 specific actions set out in the Blueprint and nearly 60 measures that were introduced in 2023, various policy bureaux have also introduced over 30 youth-related new measures in the past year in response to the latest social situation and needs of young people. This ensures that the Blueprint is progressing with the times and can continue to respond to the changing needs of young people.
At the meeting, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) also reported on the latest developments of the Youth Link, which was established in September 2023. Members appreciated that the HYAB would continue to organise or provide a variety of activities for Youth Link members, covering youth dialogue sessions, exchange visits to the Mainland, participation in international affairs, volunteer services, special visits, etc, offering them opportunities to develop diverse talents and contribute to the community, and at the same time strengthening their communication and mutual trust with the Government. The Youth Link currently has over 18 000 youth members, effectively linking up participants of various government youth development programmes.
Mr Chan said, “Over the past two years, the Government has been implementing and actively updating the Blueprint measures on an ongoing basis. This clearly demonstrates the Government’s commitment and determination to promoting long-term youth development. I extend my gratitude to all members for their active participation in the implementation and promotion of the Blueprint, as well as their collaboration with bureaux and departments to transform the vision of the Blueprint into reality – creating a fostering environment where our young people can flourish and unleash their full potential.”
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, replies to the discussion on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, After the discussion, the lower house passed the Bill It is essential for national security to know who enters the country, when, for how long, and for what purpose
India is not a Dharamshala where anyone can come and settle for any reason, the Parliament has the authority to stop those who pose a threat to national security
Those who come to contribute to India’s economy are welcome, but those who come to spread unrest will face strict action
Now, there will be a complete, systematic, integrated, and up-to-date record of every foreign national coming to India
The new immigration law will be Transparent, Tech-driven, Time-bound, and Trustworthy
Since independence, India’s soft power has made a mark across the world, and this bill will give it new momentum and energy
The Modi government has framed the immigration policy with compassion, sensitivity, and awareness of threats to the nation
DMK MPs have never raised the issue of Tamil refugees
The “Immigration, Visa, and Foreigners Registration and Tracking” (IVFRT) system has been given a legal framework to monitor illegal immigrants and those overstaying beyond permitted durations
After three years of intensive deliberation, this bill will make the immigration system Simplified, Streamlined, Secure, and Systematic
District Police Module (DPM), known as the Foreigners Identification Portal, has been launched in over 700 districts of the country
Earlier, immigration checks used to take an average of 4-5 minutes per person at checkpoints; now it takes hardly 1-2 minutes
We have started a 360-degree screening of every foreigner across 24 parameters before allowing them entry into India
Posted On: 27 MAR 2025 9:24PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today replied to the discussion on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. After the discussion, the House passed the Bill.
Replying to the discussion, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah spoke about the importance of the bill and said that it will strengthen the country’s security and economy, pave the way to make our education system and universities global, lay a strong foundation for research and investigation in the country and make India number one in the world in every field by 2047.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that immigration is not an isolated issue but many issues of the country are directly or indirectly linked with it. He said that it is very important for the security of our country to know who are entering our borders, when are they entering, for how long will they stay and the purpose for which they are here. Shri Shah said that after the passage of this bill, a complete, systematic, integrated and up-to-date account of every foreign citizen coming to India will be maintained and through this we will be able to ensure the development of the country. He said that those who endanger the security of the country will be kept under strict surveillance and can also be monitored. He said that this bill will prove to be fulfilling all our objectives.
Shri Amit Shah said that India’s track record regarding migrants has been “spotless” for thousands of years, hence there is no need for a separate refugee policy. He said that such a policy is needed by the countries which are formed by geographical boundaries, whereas India is a geo-cultural country and our boundaries have been created by our culture. He said that India has a history towards refugees. He said that it is India where the world’s largest micro minority lives with utmost respect. He said that recently, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, citizens of 6 persecuted communities from neighboring countries have been given shelter under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Shri Shah said that India has always discharged its duties towards humanity and the need for a law was never felt for doing our duty. He said that our tradition and culture taught us the mantra of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and gave us its values.
Union Home Minister said that India has the largest diaspora in the world which spreads across 146 countries. He said that Indian diaspora wants to contribute to the culture, education, science and economy of the whole world. He said that today the number of Indian NRIs is about 1 crore 72 lakh and this bill has been brought to ensure smooth movement of all these people and to address their concerns.
Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, our economy has moved from 11th to 5th position in the last 10 years and India has emerged as a bright spot in the economies of the world. He said that India is going to become a hub of manufacturing and in such a situation it is very natural for people from all over the world to come here, due to which the scale and size of our immigration has increased a lot. Shri Shah said that along with this, the number of people who take refuge and make the country unsafe for their vested interests has also increased. He said that all those who come here to contribute to the economy of India in a smooth manner according to the laws are welcome, but if any illegal person comes here to create unrest, they will be dealt with very strictly. Shri Shah said that there is strictness along with generosity in this policy and this policy has been made by keeping compassion, sensitivity in the heart and alertness towards the dangers to the country.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Prime Minister Modi has placed two resolutions before the 130 crore people of the country, to become the third largest economy of the world by 2027, and a fully developed nation by 2047. He said that to achieve both these goals, a system of simple, strong and contemporary laws is essential and that is why many new and historic laws have come in this House in the 10 years of Modi government. He said that works like three new criminal laws, CAA, abolition of 39,000 compliances for ease of doing business, IBC code in 2016, bank merger and ending NPA through it, and GST rollout by integrating 32 sales taxes in 2017 have been done in the 10 years. He said that the Modi government amended the UAPA law and the NIA Act and abolished Section 370 from Kashmir. He said that in these 10 years, the Modi government has done the work of strengthening every law in every sector.
Shri Amit Shah said that this bill will fulfil our dream of becoming the third largest economy and making our universities global as in the new education policy. He said that this will provide a good environment to those doing R&D in the field of research to work with a liberal mind and credibility, the dream of making the country the centre of excellence in sports across the world will be fulfilled, India will also become an international centre for mediation and arbitration. He said that this bill will create a very good environment for all these things. Shri Shah said that at present this entire system is spread under the purview of four Acts, but there is overlap among them and also there are many gaps. He said that this single bill will repeal these four Acts and bring a law which will fill all the gaps and will help in fulfilling our goal of making India a developed country by 2047 by eliminating repetition.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that a strong immigration policy will be of great importance in our goal of building a fully developed India by the year 2047. He said that this bill will make our system simple, streamlined, systematic, and secure. He said that along with this, this bill will also be transparent, track driven, time bound and reliable. Shri Shah said that this bill has been designed in the Home Ministry after three years of deep consideration on all aspects. He said that this bill should not be opposed for political reasons. Shri Shah said that under this bill, not only will a database of passengers coming to India be created, but it will also increase tourism a lot by exploiting all types of tourism potential here, which will greatly help in increasing India’s global branding. He said that this will be very beneficial in increasing employment and GDP. The Home Minister said that after 75 years of independence, today India’s soft power has made its mark in the whole world. He said that soft power means our Yoga, Ayurveda, Upanishads, Vedas and our organic farming system and today the whole world look up to India with hope.
Shri Amit Shah said that from the security point of view, this bill envisions ending drug cartels, illegal immigration cartels, arms and hawala trade from abroad which are weakening the country’s economy. He said that along with legal provisions, punitive actions for violations have been laid. He said that the three old bills were made in the British Parliament in 1920, 1939 and 1946 before the country got independence and today our entire immigration policy is going to be made in the new Parliament of New India, which is a historic thing. Shri Shah said that such an important policy of our country which ensures the security, trade and development of the country was made in a foreign parliament. He said that the old laws were made in the chaos of the First and Second World Wars and to protect the British government. He said that this bill has been made in the first phase of Amritkaal with a vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and in the interest of India.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that there were many overlaps in the old laws which we have eliminated we have also eliminated the lack of coordination between agencies and the complexity of data management and verification. He said that clarity of jurisdiction has been brought in this bill by eliminating contradictory provisions of the old laws. He said that a single bill will eliminate the legal confusion of passengers and officials and this comprehensive law will also greatly reduce the burden of compliance. Shri Shah said that we have fulfilled the need for mandatory documents for entry, stay and exit from India. He said that we have also given powers to arrest any person violating these. Shri Shah said that powers have also been given to deport any foreigner from India. The Home Minister said that in a way, work has been done with an open mind to make provisions as per today’s time. He said that there were a total of 45 sections in the old laws, but now this law will have 36 sections, 26 old and 10 new. Shri Shah said that our country is not a ‘Dharamshala’ where anyone can come and stay for any purpose. He said that if someone comes legally to spread prosperity in our country, then he is welcome, but if there is a threat our security, then our Parliament has the right to make a provision to stop him. He said that we cannot leave sensitive places and army establishments on our borders open for everyone.
Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, said that the introduction of online tourist visas began in 2010 for citizens of five countries. He mentioned that till the previous government, this facility was limited to only 10 countries, but now it has been extended to 169 countries. He stated that the government’s goal is to promote tourism, but it is also important to ensure that foreign nationals stay here only for the designated period. They cannot stay permanently, nor can they become citizens of the country.
Shri Amit Shah said that the government has also introduced the ‘Visa on Arrival’ facility at 31 international airports and 6 major ports. In 2023, a new category called ‘Ayush Visa’ was also launched. Now, there will be a total of 9 categories of e-visa, which include e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, Medical Attendant Visa, e-Ayush Visa, e-Conference Visa, e-Student Visa, and e-Student Dependent Visa. He mentioned that by introducing e-visas in all these categories, the government has simplified the process for foreigners to come to India.
The Union Home Minister stated that the aim is to stop only those individuals whose intentions are not correct, and it is the right of the Government of India to make such determinations. He mentioned that the number of categories under the Ayush Visa has also been increased. To monitor illegal immigrants and those staying beyond the designated time frame, the “Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration, and Tracking” (IVFRT) system has been given a legal basis. The integration of all immigration posts with Indian Missions, Foreign Regional Registration Offices (FRRO), and Foreign Registration Offices (FRO) through an end-to-end integrated system has been completed. Shri Shah also stated that the District Police Module (DPM), known as the Foreigners Identification Portal, has been launched in over 700 districts across the country.
Shri Amit Shah stated that till 2014, there were 83 immigration posts, which have now increased to 114, marking a 37 per cent growth. The government has implemented several plans to modernize immigration posts. Previously, the average time for checking each individual at immigration checkpoints was 4-5 minutes, but now it takes hardly 1-2 minutes. He mentioned that the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Program (FTI-TTP) has been implemented at eight major airports, where if a traveler has already filled in all the required information, the screening process is completed in just 30 seconds.
The Union Home Minister said that initially, there were 743 Integrated Check Post (ICP) counters, but now they have increased by 206 per cent to 2,278. He mentioned that during the previous government, the number of people arriving in India was 2.49 crore, whereas under the Modi government, till 2024, 4 crore people arrived in India. He added that during the previous government, 2.59 crore people left India, while under their government, the number has increased to 4.11 crore. He said that overall, the number of people coming to and leaving India was 5.08 crore before, but now it has risen to 8.12 crore, marking a 69 per cent increase. He emphasized that this is the highest growth in a single decade, and when considering all decades, this growth is more than 50 per cent in just one decade.
Shri Amit Shah said that individuals with malafide intentions will certainly be prevented from entering the country, as this is directly related to national security. He emphasized that our laws already provide authorities with the power to deny entry to foreign nationals. Authorities also have the right to allow visa holders to travel to any designated point within the country. However, the fact that authority has the power to deny entry does not mean they will act arbitrarily. The Home Minister clarified that the decision to stop someone will be made based on inputs from multiple agencies. Shri Shah mentioned that since 2014, a process has been established where, before stopping anyone, a thorough 360-degree investigation is conducted across 24 points.
Union Home Minister said that the interpretation of a damaged passport changes from time to time due to various incidents. While rules can be adjusted based on such incidents, the law itself cannot be altered. Therefore, the government has granted the authority to make rules under Section 30. Section 33 will apply to individuals who pose a threat to India’s security. He further emphasized that the Indian government has the right to gather information regarding the number of foreign teachers teaching and the number of foreign students studying at a university, and this information should be provided.
Shri Amit Shah said that our border with Bangladesh is 2,216 kilometers long, of which 653 kilometers have been fenced. Roads have also been constructed near the fence, and checkpoints have been established. The length of the Sage fencing is 563 kilometers, but of this, 112 kilometers are in areas where border fencing is not possible due to streams, rivers, and uneven terrain, where fencing cannot be erected. Fencing has been completed over 450 kilometers, and for the remaining 450 kilometers, the central government has written DO letters and issued 10 reminders, but the West Bengal government is not providing the land. Shri Shah mentioned that the Union Home Secretary had held seven meetings with the Secretary of Bengal, but they are unwilling to provide the land. He added that where the fencing work is to be started, members of the ruling party come and create disturbances. He said that the main reason for halting the 453 kilometers of fencing is the West Bengal government’s lenient approach towards infiltrators. Shri Shah further stated that after the 453 kilometers of fencing, 112 kilometers of the border will remain open. This 112 kilometers includes rivers, streams, and difficult geographical conditions, through which people infiltrate.
Union Home Minister said that during the previous government, illegal infiltrators used to enter through Assam, and now they enter through Bengal. Shri Shah mentioned that once his party forms the government in Bengal, the infiltration from there will also be stopped. He emphasized that the refugees who came to India during the time of independence are not considered infiltrators; they are true refugees. Those who came here to protect their religion and family are the real refugees. This is why we brought the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which does not discriminate. Shri Shah stated that Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Parsis, Christians, and Jains—any individual from these communities who comes to India will be welcomed. However, those who come for infiltration will definitely be stopped. Citizenship will be granted only to those who suffered persecution, who endured the horrors of partition, and whose families faced atrocities. While replying to the question posed by one of the members, Shri Amit Shah said none of the DMK MPs have ever raised the issue of Tamil refugees to him.
Union Home Minister stated that this bill has been introduced to replace four existing laws. All the shortcomings in these laws have been addressed, and the overlaps have been removed. He emphasized that in today’s world, international cooperation is essential to strengthen India’s economy, education, healthcare system, research, and legal framework, and we must also contribute to global progress. The Home Minister further explained that this bill has been designed with these objectives in mind, but foremost, it has been introduced with the security of the country as the top priority.
National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes, and Narcotics (NACIN) and Indian Maritime University (IMU) sign MoU for strategic knowledge partnership The MoU establishes a collaborative framework for training of CBIC officers in marine enforcement and operational capabilities, leveraging IMU’s academic and technical expertise and NACIN’s enforcement experience
Posted On: 27 MAR 2025 9:11PM by PIB Delhi
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes, and Narcotics (NACIN) and the Indian Maritime University (IMU) in Chennai, today. This collaboration aims to strengthen the Marine Customs Training Centre by enhancing the maritime enforcement and operational capabilities of CBIC officers, while also creating a platform for mutual learning and institutional synergy between NACIN and IMU.
The MoU was signed by Shri Gaigongdin Panmei, Principal Director General for NACIN, and Dr. Rajoo Balaji, Pro Vice-Chancellor for IMU (representing the Vice Chancellor), in the presence of Smt. Aruna Narayan Gupta, Member, Central Board of Indirect Tax and Customs, and, Additional Director Generals, Dr. M.G. Thamizh Valavan and Dr. Ezhilmathi K, along with Shri K. Saravanan, Registrar, IMU, and Dr. P.J. Rangachari, Director, IMU Chennai Campus, among other senior officials from both institutions.
Addressing the esteemed dignitaries and officials present, Smt. Gupta stated that the collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing the capabilities of CBIC officers engaged in marine preventive work, thereby strengthening collective efforts in safeguarding national security.
This MoU between NACIN and IMU establishes a collaborative framework for the training of CBIC officers involved in marine operations. It outlines the development of a comprehensive training programme aimed at bridging existing knowledge gaps in maritime enforcement and operational practices. The curriculum will be enriched by incorporating both domestic and international perspectives. The collaboration seeks to mutually benefit both institutions—leveraging IMU’s academic and technical expertise and NACIN’s enforcement experience.
For CBIC, the collaboration significantly strengthens its marine enforcement capabilities by providing officers with specialized, hands-on training in advanced maritime technologies, aligned with global best practices. For IMU, this partnership offers a valuable opportunity to extend its academic reach into the domain of maritime enforcement, enhance the practical application of its training modules, and engage in collaborative research on emerging technologies such as drone surveillance and recent advancements in the maritime sector.
Furthermore, the MoU paves the way for the inclusion of personnel from other departments and international participants, underscoring the global relevance and strategic scope of this initiative.
The collaboration with IMU will further elevate NACIN’s capabilities by integrating academic excellence, cutting-edge technology, and global best practices into its training framework. This partnership not only ensures the development of a robust and future-ready maritime enforcement training ecosystem but also reinforces India’s commitment to fostering institutional synergies to safeguard its maritime interests. The Marine Customs Training Centre, empowered by this collaboration, is poised to emerge as a centre of excellence for marine enforcement training in the region and beyond.
ABOUT THE MARINE CUSTOMS TRAINING CENTRE
The National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN) is the apex institution of the Government of India for capacity building in the field of indirect taxation. Functioning under the administrative control of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), NACIN plays a pivotal role in training and developing the human resource capabilities of India’s indirect tax administration. The new NACIN campus at Palasamudram, Andhra Pradesh, inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 16th January 2024, stands as a symbol of the government’s commitment to excellence in training. Among its many state-of-the-art facilities, the campus houses the Marine Customs Training Centre, developed as part of NACIN’s mission to enhance the skill sets and operational readiness of Customs officers engaged in marine enforcement.
This cutting-edge centre is equipped with Full Mission Ship Maneuvering Simulators and Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) simulators, offering immersive, hands-on training in ship navigation, collision avoidance, and emergency response. It also provides practical facilities for firefighting drills, seamanship training, and operation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Additionally, officers are trained in marine search and rescue operations, firearm proficiency, and life-saving techniques—preparing them for a wide range of real-world maritime scenarios. Designed to simulate realistic operational conditions, the training environment at the centre ensures that officers are well-prepared to tackle challenges such as maritime security threats, smuggling interdiction, and emergency response. The facility is also envisioned as a shared resource for training personnel from other government marine enforcement agencies, fostering inter-agency collaboration and enhancing national maritime enforcement capabilities.
ABOUT IMU
The Indian Maritime University (IMU), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, is a premier institution for maritime education, training, and research. It offers world-class training and education in maritime-related fields and is renowned for its significant contribution to the development of India’s maritime sector. With campuses across the country, IMU provides a broad spectrum of programs and actively collaborates with industry and government bodies to advance maritime capabilities through academic excellence and specialized training.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke with HM King Philippe of Belgium today. Shri Modi appreciated the recent Belgian Economic Mission to India led by HRH Princess Astrid. Both leaders discussed deepening the strong bilateral ties, boosting trade & investment, and advancing collaboration in innovation & sustainability.
In a post on X, he said:
“It was a pleasure to speak with HM King Philippe of Belgium. Appreciated the recent Belgian Economic Mission to India led by HRH Princess Astrid. We discussed deepening our strong bilateral ties, boosting trade & investment, and advancing collaboration in innovation & sustainability.
@MonarchieBe”
It was a pleasure to speak with HM King Philippe of Belgium. Appreciated the recent Belgian Economic Mission to India led by HRH Princess Astrid. We discussed deepening our strong bilateral ties, boosting trade & investment, and advancing collaboration in innovation &…
MeitY secretary inaugurates India’s first Nano Electronics Roadshow in IISC Bengaluru; 7 colleges showcase 0ver 100 intellectual properties (IPs) and more than 50 technologies MeitY leading India’s semiconductor surge with innovation, 85,000 Skilled workforce amnd $100 Billion market by 2030: Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in partnership with IISc Bengaluru, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Guwahati, successfully hosted India’s first Nano Electronics Roadshow on March 27, 2025, at the National Science Seminar Complex, IISc Bengaluru. The Roadshow was inaugurated by Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, along with Shri Abhishek Singh, Addl. Secretary, MeitY
India’s vision of a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem
This marked a significant milestone in India’s vision of a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem. The roadshow showcased over 100 intellectual properties (IPs), more than 50 groundbreaking technologies, and the innovation of over 35 promising startups—all backed by six state-of-the-art nanoelectronics centers across the country.
Taking forward Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call for Atmanirbhar Bharat, the conference highlighted India’s technological leadership in the electronics and semiconductor domain, driven by cutting-edge research and innovation at Nano Centers established by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology within the IISc and IIT ecosystem. The roadshow served as a platform for over 700 industry leaders, policymakers, and academics to explore areas of collaboration around strategies for strengthening India’s nanoelectronics ecosystem.
India’s Semiconductor Future
Addressing the gathering, Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY underscored the critical role of MeitY’s Nano Centers in fostering innovation and talent development to build a semiconductor-ready workforce of 85,000 professionals. He emphasized that the event represents a significant initiative by the ministry and the Government of India, symbolizing convergence and fostering industry-academia collaboration, with the government playing a catalytic role in shaping India’s technological and industrial future. “A key focus of the ministry is aligning various efforts to advance the India Semiconductor Mission, one of the world’s most extensive subsidy and grant programs. With nearly 70-75% of investments in major semiconductor facilities coming from taxpayer money, every Indian is a stakeholder in this mission. Infact, 20% of the workforce in semiconductor design is in India. Ensuring its success is a collective responsibility shared by the government, industry, and academia.” He further added, “India’s semiconductor demand, currently at $45-50 billion, is expected to reach $100-110 billion by 2030.”
Diving into the vision and significance of the Roadshow, Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY, highlighted the revolution technology has been bringing in all our lives and how the whole world of technology is shrinking. Commenting on the industry-academia collaboration, he added, “Under the India AI mission, through the INUP program and other initiatives, startups, entrepreneurs, and researchers are solving real-world problems, driving India to the forefront of cutting-edge technology. Together, with the pioneering efforts of institutions like IISc, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and others, we are building an ecosystem that ensures India remains a leader in this revolution.”
Research meets real-world innovation
The Nano Centers established by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology at IISc and IITs are driving India’s edge in the deep-tech race, fostering breakthrough technologies and strategic advancements. At the Nano Electronics Roadshow held at IISc Bengaluru, these academic hubs demonstrated their impact by bridging research with real-world applications, featuring 48 cutting-edge tech demos presented by students from the Nano Centers.
The event not only served as a platform for pivotal industry dialogues but also emerged as a hub for collaboration between the startup ecosystem and academia. This synergy aimed to accelerate the journey of cutting-edge technologies from labs to consumers’ reach. It also facilitated the signing of 4 MoUs between the academia and the industry, driving partnerships and technological advancements- IISc with KAS Technologies and Antigone Solutions Private Limited, Center for Nano Science and Engineering with India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA), and Madnani Chemdist Novatech LLP with Primary Healthtech Private Limited.
The roadshow represents a significant step forward in India’s semiconductor journey, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in chip design, fabrication, and nanoelectronics. Alongside, it also recognized and rewarded the innovative startups, celebrated for their exceptional contributions and transformative work in the sector. With this, we witnessed many startups coming forward and demonstrating technology that can revolutionize the Indian tech ecosystem. This event holds great significance in the semiconductor domain, as it paves the way for the development of more indigenous technologies aimed at addressing critical societal challenges.
Bringing together government officials, industry leaders, researchers, and startups, the event served as a catalyst to shape India’s next big leap in technology and innovation.
Utpal Shah, SVP, Tata Electronics; Anand Ramamoorthy, Micron; Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc; and Juzer Vasi, IIT Bombay. Other prominent dignitaries included Dr. V. Narayanan, Chair, ISRO; Rangesh Raghavan, India Head, Lam Research; V. Ramagopal Rao, VC, BITS Pilani; Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation, also present at the event
PM meets high-powered delegation from Keizai Doyukai to discuss about deepening economic cooperation between India and Japan PM highlights the Japan Plus system developed in India, to facilitate and fast-track Japanese investments in India
India’s governance is policy-driven, and the government is committed to ensuring a transparent and predictable environment : PM
India’s youth, skilled workforce, and low-cost labor make it an attractive destination for manufacturing: PM
Given India’s vast diversity, the country will play a major role in the AI landscape: PM
The delegation expressed support and commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047
Posted On: 27 MAR 2025 8:17PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received a high-powered delegation from Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives) led by Mr. Takeshi Niinami, Chairperson of Keizai Doyukai, and 20 other Business delegates to hear their views and ideas to deepen economic cooperation between India and Japan at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, earlier today.
The discussion covered strengthening bilateral trade, enhancing investment opportunities, and fostering collaboration in key sectors such as Agriculture, Marine Products, Space, Defence, Insurance, Technology, Infrastructure, Civil aviation, Clean energy, Nuclear Energy and MSME partnership.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and reaffirmed India’s determination to provide a business-friendly environment. He highlighted the Japan Plus system developed in India, to facilitate and fast-track Japanese investments in India. He further emphasized that there should be no ambiguity or hesitation for investors. India’s governance is policy-driven, and the government is committed to ensuring a transparent and predictable environment.
Prime Minister spoke about the immense scale of growth of aviation sector in the country. He also mentioned that India is also working towards building significant infrastructure, including the construction of new airports and the expansion of logistics capabilities.
Prime Minister said that given India’s vast diversity, the country will play a major role in the AI landscape. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with those involved in AI, encouraging them to partner with India.
Prime Minister also highlighted that India is making significant strides in the field of green energy, having launched a mission focused on biofuels. He said that the agricultural sector, in particular, stands to benefit from biofuels as an important value addition.
Prime Minister talked about opening up of insurance sector and about ever widening opportunities in cutting edge sectors in space and nuclear energy.
The Keizai Doyukai delegation, comprising senior business leaders from Japan, shared their plans for India. They also expressed interest in exploiting complementarities between India and Japan in human resource and skill development. Both sides expressed optimism about future collaborations and looked forward to deepening business and investment ties in the years ahead.
Niinami Takeshi, Representative Director, President & CEO, Suntory Holdings Ltd appreciated the thriving relations between India and Japan under PM Modi. He said he sees huge opportunity for Japan to invest in India. He emphasized on the vision of PM Modi of Make in India, Make for the World.
Tanakaa Shigehiro, Corporate Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Government Affairs Officer, NEC Corporation remarked that PM Modi explained very clearly his vision and expectations for Japanese industry to invest in India.
The meeting underscored Japanese business’ support and commitment to the vision for Viksit Bharat @2047 in a meaningful and mutually beneficial manner.