Europe ties in focus on PM’S three-nation tour

NEW DELHI: India’s engagements with European partners at a time when the region is facing many challenges will strengthen cooperation with “important companions” in New Delhi’s quest for peace and prosperity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.

In a statement ahead of his visit to Berlin, Copenhagen and Paris beginning Monday, Modi said his engagements with new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Nordic countries and the French government following President Emmanuel Macron’s re-election will drive cooperation in diverse areas. This is Modi’s first foreign tour of the year and the first since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.

“My visit to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices,” he said against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis that has raised questions about the longstanding security architecture in Europe.

“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.

The Ukraine crisis will figure during the three-nation tour though the principal focus will be on cooperation in key areas such as trade, energy and green development, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told a media briefing shortly after assuming the position.

“When the prime minister interfaces with [leaders of these countries], naturally, the issues of regional and global importance would figure in the discussions... the principal focus of the visit and discussions is to structure and strengthen bilateral partnership across a range of areas and exchange perspectives on the Ukraine issue also,” Kwatra said.

India has made its position on the Ukraine crisis very clear at multiple forums.

{ NARENDRA MODI } PRIME MINISTER

I intend to strengthen the spirit of cooperation with our European partners, who are important companions in India’s

quest for peace...