New Delhi: Ahead of his three-day trip to Denmark, Germany, and France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is traveling to Europe at a time when the region is confronted with many challenges.
PM Modi will set off on the three-nation tour on May 2, his first trip abroad this year. The visit comes against the backdrop of Russia’s war on Ukraine, which has altered the geopolitical balance in Europe.
“My visit to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices. 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,” he said in a statement.
The first leg of the trip will see the prime minister arrive in Germany on May 2. In Berlin, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and the two leaders will co-chair the sixth edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). Several Indian ministers will also travel to Germany and hold consultations with their German counterparts.
“I see this IGC as an early engagement with the new government in Germany, within six months of its formation, which will be helpful to identify our priorities for the medium and long term,” PM Modi added.
On May 3, the prime minister will then fly to Copenhagen in Denmark, where he will hold bilateral engagements with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen, and also participate in the Second India-Nordic Summit. There, he will interact with prime ministers of other Nordic countries – Katrin Jakobsdottir of Iceland, Jonas Gahr Store of Norway, Magdalena Andersson of Sweden, and Sanna Marin of Finland.
Over the course of 24 hours, he will also participate in the India-Denmark Business Roundtable as well as meet with the Indian community in Denmark.
After concluding his engagements in Denmark, PM Modi will have a brief stopover in France on his way back to India on May 4. In Paris, he will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was re-elected to the top post in a fiercely-fought presidential election last month.
PM Modi’s visit to France just 10 days after the results of the presidential election “will not only allow me to convey my personal congratulations in-person, but also reaffirm the close friendship between the two countries,” he said. “This will also give us the opportunity to set the tone of the next phase of the India-France Strategic Partnership.”
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