Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29 evening landed in Germany. Modi’s trip to Europe comprises visits to Germany, Spain, Russia and France, aimed at boosting economic ties with these nations.
Modi’s visit to Germany includes talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel under the framework of India- Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC).
The prime minister will also discuss with Merkel areas of cooperation in trade, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine.
In Berlin, Modi and Merkel will also interact with top business leaders of both the countries to further strengthen trade and investment ties.
On May 30, Modi will travel to Spain for an official visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in almost three decades. He will call on King Felipe VI and hold talks with President Mariano Rajoy. Modi will discuss ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in the economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism. He will also meet top CEOs of the Spanish industry and encourage them to partner in the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
From Spain, the prime minister will travel to St.Petersburg in Russia 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. On June 2, Modi and Putin will address the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) where India is the ‘guest country’. At the beginning of his visit, he will go to Piskarovskoye Cemetery to pay homage to those who perished during the siege of Leningrad. He will also visit the world famous State Hermitage Museum and the Institute of Oriental manuscripts.
In the last leg of the tour, he will visit France from June 2 to 3 for an official meeting with the newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. France is India’s 9th largest investment partner and a key partner in its development initiatives in the area of defence, space, nuclear and renewable energy, urban development and railways.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel at her country retreat near Berlin for informal talks over a private dinner.
“The bonds of a fruitful partnership. Chancellor Merkel receives Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Schloss Messeberg before a private dinner,” said a Ministry of External Affairs statement alongside images of the two leaders in conversation in the luxurious gardens of the grand palace.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described terrorism as the “gravest challenge” facing humanity and urged Europe to play a lead role in developing an effective global response under the aegis of the UN to deal with this menace. “To our mind, terrorism is the gravest challenge facing humanity. Europe must play a lead role in developing an effective global response under the aegis of the United Nations to deal with this menace,” he told German paper Handelsblatt.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival said, “Reached Germany. I am sure this visit will lead to beneficial outcomes & deepen India-Germany friendship.”
Source: DNA India
