Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s rich culture, tradition and history have been recognized by the entire world, said External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar at a press meet here today while canvassing for the BJP ahead of the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government at the Centre have also huge respect towards the culture and history of Odisha, he added.

“We had placed a huge replica of Konark temple wheel at the recent G-20 meeting in Delhi. This will boost tourism sector in the state,” said the External Affairs Minister.

The Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre has opened at least 20 centres in Odisha for issuance of passports. These centres issue around 1.25 lakh passports in a year, he said.

The BJP government has taken immediate steps to evacuate Odia people as well as other Indians from war-torn Ukraine and Israel, he added.

The BJP government at the Centre has provided Rs 18 lakh crore to Odisha in terms of grants and tax devolution in last 10 years. However, the Odisha government has failed to bring industrial development in the state. The state is also lagging behind in many other sectors despite its huge stock of mineral as well as natural resources, claimed the External Affairs Minister.

“We hope that the people of Odisha will vote for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the state,” he said.