Modi Embarks Four-Nation European Tour; Visits Germany First:- A four-nation European tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France has been embarked today by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, with the aim of increasing India’s economic engagement with these nations and inviting more investment.
Germany will be the first country for Modi to visit, where under the framework of India - Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC), he will hold talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is also expected to attend the meeting.
The areas of cooperation in trade, innovation and science and technology,security and counter-terrorism, urban infrastructure, skill development, development cooperation, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, health and alternative medicine will be discussed with Merkel.
Modi and Merkel, in Berlin will also interact with top business leaders of both the countries to further strengthen trade and investment ties. For an official visit, Modi on Tuesday will travel to Spain and this will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in almost three decades. He will call on King Felipe VI and hold talks with President Mariano Rajoy. The ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in the economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in fighting terrorism, will be discussed by Modi.
Modi will also meet the top CEOs of the Spanish industry and encourage them to partner in the “Make in India” initiative. From Spain, Modi will travel to St. Petersburg in Russia, which is scheduled from May 31 to June 2 for the 18th India-Russia Annual Summit. The two leaders will also be interacting with CEOs from the two countries.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) where India is the “guest country” will be addressed by Modi and the current President of Russian Federation, Putin. Modi will also pay homage to those who perished during the siege of Leningrad, at the beginning of his visit. Additionally, the world famous State Hermitage Museum and the Institute of Oriental manuscripts, will also be visited by Modi.
France will be visited in the last leg of his tour from June 2 to 3, for an official meeting with the newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.
India’s 9th largest investment partner, France plays a major role in its development initiatives in the area of defence, space, nuclear and renewable energy, urban development and railways.
SUPRAJA
