Ukraine on agenda as Modi arrives in Europe
INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed to Europe on Monday (2) with New Delhi’s refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine set to be a key talking point in meetings with regional leaders.
India, which imports much of its military hardware from Russia, has long walked a diplomatic tightrope between the West and Moscow, and has called only for an immediate end to hostilities.
‘My visit to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices,’ Modi said in a statement released before his departure for Germany, Denmark and France.
The premier intended to ‘strengthen the spirit of cooperation’ with European partners ‘who are important companions in India’s quest for peace and prosperity’, the statement added.
Modi, who arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit, got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin. The prime minister greeted members of the Indian community, who were awaiting his arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. Many children along with their parents were present at the hotel, waving their hands at the Prime
Minister’s arrival.
Modi received a guard of honour at Federal Chancellery in Berlin in the presence of German Challancer Olaf Scholz.
Modi later held a bilateral meeting with Scholz ahead of the sixth round of Biennial Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany.
The two leaders met in oneon-one format followed by delegation-level talks. Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.
‘This is their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. The momentum of high-level exchanges with our Strategic Partner continues,’ India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a tweet.
PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.