• Source:JND
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met King Charles III at Sandringham House during his official visit to the United Kingdom, where he gifted a symbolic tree sapling as part of his environmental campaign, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.” The meeting was acknowledged by the Royal Family on social media, which posted, “This afternoon, The King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, at Sandringham House. During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister.”

The gifted tree, a Sonoma dove tree, is an ornamental species known for its striking white bracts that resemble handkerchiefs or doves. Unlike the traditional Davidia involucrata, which may take up to 20 years to flower, the ‘Sonoma’ variant blooms within two to three years, making it a living tribute that will flourish relatively quickly.

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‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’

“Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” is a heartfelt environmental initiative encouraging people to plant a tree in honour of their mothers. It aims to combine the emotional bond with mothers and the urgency of environmental protection. The campaign has resonated with people across India, blending personal emotion with public responsibility. As Modi noted, “Mother and nature both are the basic foundation of life, and through this initiative, we are fulfilling our duty.”

The Sandringham meeting with King Charles III came shortly after PM Modi signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier in the day. The agreement, signed in London on July 24, is being hailed as a major economic milestone for both nations. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds signed the deal on behalf of their governments.

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Described as India’s most ambitious trade pact in over a decade, and the UK’s first major post-Brexit trade accord, the FTA aims to boost trade by around USD 34 billion annually. It will offer near-zero duty access for Indian exports like textiles, seafood, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods, which will significantly aid Indian industries and employment generation.