Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Highlight
- PM Modi is on a tour of Germany, Denmark and France
- His journey takes place amid the Russo-Ukraine War and the changing global order
- PM Modi is accompanied by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, other senior ministers
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to “exchange perspectives” on the situation in Ukraine during his three-nation European tour from Monday, with the main focus of the visit boosting ties on several areas. Will happen. including business, energy and green technology. At a media briefing on Sunday, Kwatra reiterated India’s “clear” position on Ukraine and called for an end to hostilities and resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
The newly-appointed Foreign Secretary underlined the “context, clarity, importance and positive dimension” of India’s position on Ukraine and said there should be no doubt about it. Kwatra said India’s international partners are aware of its position on Ukraine and have deeply appreciated it.
In his departure statement, Modi said, “My visit to Europe comes at a time when the region is facing many challenges and choices. Through my engagements, I look forward to strengthening the spirit of cooperation with our European partners.” I intend to be an important partner in India’s quest for peace and prosperity.”
PM Modi to visit Germany, Denmark and France
On Monday, Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will co-chair the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) in Berlin.
From Germany, the Prime Minister will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark on 3 May at the invitation of Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen of Denmark. There he will attend the second India-Nordic summit.
On May 4, he will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Asked whether Ukraine would come up in Modi’s talks with European leaders, Kwatra said, “When the Prime Minister talks with these leaders, naturally issues of regional and global importance will also figure in the discussion. “
“But I must reiterate that the main focus of the visits and discussions is to further strengthen the structure of the bilateral partnership in various fields and of course to exchange perspective on Ukraine issues as well,” he said.
The foreign secretary said that “it would not be right for them to comment on each country in Europe, how they view the issue of Ukraine.”
Kwatra said India’s position on Ukraine has been “expanded, clear and explained in great detail in multiple forums”.
India calls for ending hostilities in Ukraine
Elaborating on India’s position, he said, “One, we have always maintained that there must be an end to hostilities in Ukraine, and second, the path to solution goes through diplomacy and dialogue. I think these varieties They pretty much capture what we have to do. Say it on Ukraine.”
Kwatra said the visit focused on expanding India’s bilateral ties with the three European countries in several areas, including trade and investment, clean energy, digital technology and defence.
He said the Ukraine issue would be included in the talks as part of discussions on regional and global development.
Kwatra said energy security will be one of the key areas of discussion during Modi’s visit as it has become more important in the present circumstances.
There has been widespread debate and discussion in Europe about ending its reliance on Russian energy in view of its attack on Ukraine.
The Foreign Secretary talked about the “changing elements” of energy security, its impact on developing countries like India, challenges in the region and their mitigation.
“I’m sure this will be one of the elements in the overall discussion. But naturally, a single item will not define what the structure of the discussion will be,” he said.
Kwatra said Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) on Monday.
This will be followed by a high-level roundtable where Modi and Scholz will interact with top CEOs from both countries.
Modi also has a program to interact with overseas Indians in Germany.
“The meeting between the two leaders will provide an excellent platform not only to strengthen the existing multi-faceted bilateral partnership but also to shape and develop an ambitious agenda of cooperation for the coming months and years, including in the area of development partnership. Will provide an excellent platform for agenda, trade and investment relations,” Kwatra said.
Scholz is scheduled to host Modi at a private dinner.
Finance Minister, Senior Union Minister will accompany PM Modi
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and several other senior Union ministers are expected to accompany Modi to Germany as the IGC draft mandates direct talks between senior ministers from both sides on cooperation in specific areas.
Modi to hold separate bilateral talks with Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland
In Denmark, Modi is scheduled to hold separate bilateral talks with the leaders of Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland.
“The Prime Minister’s maiden visit in 2022 is an ambitious and substantial agenda involved in an intensive programme… The main objective of the visit is for India to continue to strengthen its multi-faceted multi-faceted partnership with major countries in Europe,” Foreign Secretary he said.
On May 4, Modi will make a brief halt in Paris on his return visit, where he will hold extensive talks with Emmanuel Macron, who was re-elected as French President last week.
“Modi’s visit to France will provide an opportunity to take forward the high level relations between the two countries after the French presidential election,” Kwatra said.
“The two countries have consistently nurtured and fulfilled the ambition of their strategic partnership.”
Asked whether the Ukraine crisis would come to the fore in his talks with European leaders, Kwatra said: “When the prime minister talks with the leaders, naturally issues of regional and global importance will also be included in the discussion.”
“But the main focus of the visit is to strengthen and strengthen the bilateral partnership in a number of areas … and to exchange perspectives on Ukraine’s issues.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reflecting the EU’s tough approach to dealing with the Russian aggression, said at the Raisina Dialogue on Monday that Europe will ensure that Moscow’s “unprovoked and unjustified” aggression against Ukraine is a “strategic failure”. “Will be.
India has not yet publicly condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine and has been seeking a solution to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
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