Visiting Europe in challenging times: PM Modi

New Delhi| Ahead of his three-day visit to Denmark, Germany and France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is visiting Europe at a time when the region is facing many challenges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday issued a departure statement before leaving for Germany on his first foreign trip this year.

He said that his visit to Europe comes at a time when the region is facing challenges and options.

“I intend to strengthen the spirit of cooperation with our European partners, who are important partners in India’s quest for peace and prosperity,” he said.

During his Europe visit, Modi will meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Danish Prime Minister Mette Friedrichsen and French President Emmanuel Macron, who has recently been re-elected as the President for a second term.

“President Macron has recently been re-elected, and my visit, ten days after the result, will allow me to convey not only my personal congratulations, but the close friendship between the two countries,” the prime minister said in a statement. This will give us an opportunity to set the tone for the next phase of the India-France strategic partnership.”

“PM Modi will exchange India’s perspective on Ukraine during his visit to Germany, France and Denmark,” the new foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said at a briefing on Sunday.

PM Modi said, “My visit to Berlin will be an opportunity to have detailed bilateral discussions with Chancellor Scholz, whom I met last year at the G20 in his previous capacity as Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister. We are the sixth India-Germany inter- Government Consultations (IGC) will co-chair the event. It is a unique biennial format that India organizes only with Germany. Several Indian ministers will also visit Germany and hold consultations with their German counterparts.”

Modi added, “I see this IGC as an early engagement within six months of the formation of the new government in Germany, which will be helpful in identifying our priorities for the medium and long term.”

Modi also said that from Berlin he will travel to Copenhagen, where he will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Fredriksen which will provide an opportunity to review the progress in our unique ‘Green Strategic Partnership’ with Denmark as well as our bilateral aspects. Will do

In a statement, Modi said, “In addition to bilateral relations with Denmark, I will also participate in the second India-Nordic Summit with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway where we will hold the first India-Nordic Summit in 2018. Will take stock of our cooperation from then on.”

Referring to the proposed meeting with President Macron, Modi said he would share assessments on various regional and global issues and take stock of the ongoing bilateral cooperation. “I firmly believe that two countries sharing the same vision and values ​​for the global order should work in close cooperation with each other,” Modi said.