PM ON 4NATION TOUR TO BOOST ECONOMIC TIES

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his fournation tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France beginning Monday is aimed at boosting India’s economic engagement with these nations and inviting more investment.

In the first leg of his six-day trip, he will visit Germany, where he will hold talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel under the framework of India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC). He will also call on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Modi said he and Merkel will “chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, 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.”

Describing Germany as a valuable partner, the PM said, “German competencies fit well with my vision for India’s transformation.” In Berlin, Modi and Merkel will also interact with top business leaders of both the countries to further strengthen the trade and investment ties.

“I am confident that this visit will open a new chapter in our bilateral cooperation with Germany and further deepen our strategic partnership,” he said in a Facebook post.

On Tuesday, Modi will travel to Spain for an official visit, the first by an Indian PM in almost three decades. He will call on King Felipe VI and hold talks with President Mariano Rajoy.

He will also meet top CEOs of the Spanish industry and encourage them to partner in the ‘Make in India’ initiative.