NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on an important visit to Europe as he will visit Germany for the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), will attend the Second Indo-Nordic Summit in Denmark and will make a brief stopover at France.
His visit comes at a crucial time when the world is stirred by the Russian-Ukraine conflict with Europe directly affected by it. India has steadfastly resisted Western Europe’s attempt to wean it away from Russian partnerships.
“My visit to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices. Through my engagements, I intend to strengthen the spirit of cooperation with our European partners, who are important companions in India’s quest for peace and prosperity,” PM Modi said ahead of his departure for Berlin on Monday for co-chairing the IGC with new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Dr Jitendra Singh Minister of State, Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences will attend the IGC, a unique biennial format which India conducts only with Germany.
“I see this IGC as an early engagement with the new government in Germany, within six months of its formation, which will be helpful to identify our priorities for the medium and long term,” PM Modi stated in a statement.
In Berlin, PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz will also have a Business Roundtable with the goal of energising Indian industry to industry cooperation. The business forum will help economic recovery after COVID and give a better platform for strengthening ties between government and businesses. The pair will address strategic, regional and global developments that concern both the strategic partners.
From Germany, PM Modi will fly to Copenhagen, Denmark on May 3 for his maiden visit. He will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark. The duo will join their Icelandic, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian counterparts for the Second India-Nordic Summit on May 4.
“Apart from the bilateral engagements with Denmark, I will also take part in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit along with Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway where we will take stock of our cooperation since the First India-Nordic Summit in 2018. The Summit will focus on subjects like post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change, innovation and technology, renewable energy, the evolving global security scenario and India-Nordic cooperation in the Arctic region,” PM Modi stated.
This is for the first time the Nordic state is holding summit-level talks with another country other than the US, newly appointed Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told reports Sunday in New Delhi.
The purpose of the visit is to expand India’s multifaceted cooperation with the Nordic region. During his stay in Denmark, the two sides will discuss the Joint Action plan, wind energy, shipping and smart cities, MEA stated.
PM Modi will conclude his Denmark visit on May 4 before making a brief stopover in Paris to meet re-elected President Emmanuel Macron.
The pair will discuss several regional and global issues, take stock of ongoing bilateral cooperation and discover ways to take forward the India-France Strategic Partnership. There are high possibilities of talks on defence production in India with further support from France, a source familiar with the development told The New Indian.