Modi in Europe: PM, Macron Discuss Regional, Global Developments in Paris; Ukraine Position Reiterated in Nordic Meet | Key Highlights

After wrapping up his Germany and Denmark visits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday landed in France, the last stop of his three-day Europe tour. PM Modi received a warm welcome from French President Emmanuel Macron, who was re-elected to the top post over a week back, at Elysee Palace in Paris. Both leaders discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interests as well as regional and global developments, amid Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Both leaders embraced and posed for press photos as PM Modi arrived in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace, where he was also greeted by Macron’s wife Brigitte. Macron held a tete-a-tete with Modi before the delegation-level talks at the Elysee Palace – the official residence of the French President.

PM Modi embarked on his first abroad visit of the year on May 2 and has held meetings, bilateral as well as multilateral in Germany and Denmark so far.

Highlights from third and last day of PM Modi’s Europe tour:

PM Modi Shares Highlights from Denmark Visit: PM Modi took to Twitter and shared highlights from his Denmark visit. In his tweet, PM Modi wrote: “Productive talks with PM Frederiksen, a business summit to discuss economic linkages, a vibrant community programme to further people-to-people linkages and a meeting with Denmark’s Royal Family…here are yesterday’s highlights.”

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1521738430429937665

PM Modi Meets Iceland Counterpart in Denmark: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met his Iceland counterpart Katrin Jakobsdottir and discussed ways to boost ties in areas like trade, energy and fisheries. Modi, who arrived in Copenhagen on Tuesday from Berlin on the second leg of his visit to three European nations, met Jakobsdottir on the sidelines of the second India-Nordic Summit in the Danish capital.

Both Prime Ministers warmly recalled their first meeting during the 1st India-Nordic Summit in Stockholm in April 2018. They noted that this year both countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations. “Both leaders discussed ways to further strengthen economic cooperation especially in the sectors of geothermal energy, Blue Economy, Arctic, renewable energy, fisheries, food processing, education including digital universities, and culture,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release. Geothermal energy, in particular, is an area where Iceland has special expertise, and both sides stessed on collaboration between universities of both countries in this sector.

“Discussions also took place on regional and global developments,” it added. Modi’s visit comes amid the Ukraine crisis, which has united much of Europe against Russia.

PM Modi Attends 2nd India-Nordic Summit in Denmark: PM Modi today attended the second India-Nordic summit in Denmark, before departing for Paris to meet President Macron. Prime Minister Modi said there is much that India and the Nordic countries can achieve and contribute to global prosperity and sustainable development.

The Prime Minister said this after attending the second India-Nordic summit in Denmark that primarily focused on cooperation in post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change, and renewable energy.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “The 2nd India-Nordic Summit commences. A boost to our multifaceted cooperation with the Nordic region in areas like emerging technologies, investment, clean energy, Arctic research and more.”

India and the Nordic countries have discussed the destabilising effect of the conflict in Ukraine and its broader regional and global implications as they agreed to remain closely engaged on the issue. The issue figured prominently at the summit attended by Prime Minister Modi and his counterparts from Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

A joint statement said the prime ministers expressed their serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. “They unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine. They reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities,” it said. It said the prime ministers emphasised that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states. “The Nordic prime ministers reiterated their strong condemnation of the unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine by Russian forces,” the statement said.

PM Modi arrives in Paris: Prime Minister Modi arrived in Paris on Wednesday to meet French President Emmanuel Macron and discuss issues of bilateral and mutual interests. “Bonjour Paris! PM @narendramodi arrives in Paris on a visit to France,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.

Prime Minister Modi was among the first few world leaders to meet President Macron after his re-election last week. He had congratulated Macron after his re-election.

The meeting between the two leaders set a more ambitious agenda for the strategic partnership, Bagchi said in a tweet. His visit comes during the French presidency of the European Union. It also coincides with the 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and France.

This is Modi’s fifth visit to France after August 2019, June 2017, November 2015 and April 2015. President Macron visited India in March 2018. Both leaders also met on the sidelines of the G20 Rome Summit in October 2021, G20 Osaka Summit in June 2019 and G20 Buenos Aires Summit in December 2018.

Highlights from PM Modi’s Day 2 Europe tour:

PM Uses New-age Lingo FOMO to Invite Investors: Not one to miss out on social media trends, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday used new-age lingo FOMO or ‘fear of missing out’ to make a pitch to investors in Denmark. He said those who did not invest in India will “miss out”.

“These days the term FOMO or ‘fear of missing out’ is gaining traction on social media. Looking at India’s reforms and investment opportunities, I can say that those who don’t invest in our nation will certainly miss out,” the prime minister said, while addressing the business community in Danish capital Copenhagen during the second leg of his ‘three-day, three-nation’ Europe tour. This is the PM’s first official visit to the Nordic country.

https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1521472308459802624

PM Modi, Danish PM Take Part in India-Denmark Business Summit: Prime Minister Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen took part in the India-Denmark Business Forum with top business leaders from both countries. The two leaders discussed ways to combine Denmark’s skill and India’s scale, especially in areas such as clean energy and climate friendly technologies.

https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1521471236144082944

PM Modi interacts with Indian community in Denmark: PM Modi interacted with the Indian community in Denmark and asked them to convince their non-Indian friends to visit India. He also asked citizens to come to India and jointly find the answers to problems related to climate change and environmental degradation.

PM Modi Meets Queen of Denmark Margrethe II: PM Modi also had an audience with Margrethe II, the Queen of the Kingdom of Denmark, who extended a warm reception to him. Modi felicitated the queen on the occasion of the golden jubilee of her reign. Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen, who left Modi’s interaction with NRIs midway, was also in attendance.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1521584119209148416

Highlights from PM Modi’s first day of Europe tour:

PM Modi, who arrived in Germany’s capital city Berlin on Monday morning, held bilateral talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and co-chaired the India-Germany inter-governmental consultations. “My Germany visit has been a productive one. The talks with @Bundeskanzler Scholz were extensive and so were the Inter-Governmental Consultations. I got a great opportunity to interact with business and Indian community leaders. I thank the German Government for their hospitality,” Modi tweeted.

During their meeting, Prime Minister Modi and the German Chancellor reviewed the full range of bilateral ties, including giving an impetus to trade as well as cultural linkages. Prime Minister Modi, who co-chaired with Chancellor Scholz the sixth plenary session of the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), invited the German participation in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) campaign.

Modi said that the partnership between India and Germany could serve as an example of success in a complex world as the two sides inked several agreements focused on sustainable development under which India would receive USD 10.5 billion in assistance by 2030 to boost the use of clean energy. Modi highlighted the reforms undertaken by his government as he interacted with Indian and German business leaders.

He also addressed the Indian community in Berlin.

(with inputs from agencies)

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