New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Germany today where he will chair the India-Germany inter-governmental consultations along with Chancellor Olaf Scholz before flying to Copenhagen for a summit with the leaders of the Nordic nations.
On his way back, he will drop by in Paris for a meeting with ‘friend’ Emmanuel Macron who just won a second term as President.
Modi said his trip to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices, and that he intends to strengthen the spirit of cooperation with India’s European partners.
Itās a jam-packed schedule for Modi. The PM, who embarked on a three-day visit to Germany, Denmark and France, will have 25 hectic engagements spanning around 65 hours.
Modi will hold meetings, bilateral as well as multilateral, with eight world leaders from seven countries besides having an interaction with 50 global business leaders. He will also interact with thousands of members of the Indian community.
In a statement, Modi said he will be visiting Berlin on May 2 at the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, following which he will travel to Copenhagen on 3-4 May at the invitation of his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen to hold bilateral engagements and also participate in the Second India-Nordic Summit.
On the way back to India, the PM said, he will make a brief stopover in Paris for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
‘My visit to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices,’ Modi said.
‘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,’ the Prime Minister said in his departure statement.
Ukraine and energy security are said to be on the top of PM’s agenda. On Ukraine, ahead of Modiās departure, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra reiterated Indiaās position ā cessation of violence and return to dialogue and diplomacy. Even as ties with Ukraine have come under strain because of Indiaās reluctance to openly condemn Russiaās actions, Kwatra said there was ‘deep appreciation’ of Indiaās position.