PM Modi with bale of invitations to visit UK, Sweden

New Delhi, April 16: PM Narendra Modi, carrying a bale of invitations of several functions, is set to visit the UK and Sweden for five days from today with an aim to enhance bilateral relations.

PM Modi has expressed confidence that his visit will be useful in enhancing India's engagement with these countries. His visit will see the attendance of bilateral meetings, the India-Nordic Summit and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

 

PM Modi expressed confidence that the visits to Sweden and UK will be useful in enhancing India’s engagement with these countries.

On 17th April, he will be in Stockholm on the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven. This is his first visit to Sweden. India and Sweden share warm and friendly ties.

 

PM Modi said, “Our partnership is based on democratic values and commitment to an open, inclusive and rule-based global order. Sweden is a valuable partner in our development initiatives.”

“PM Lofven and I will also have the opportunity to interact with top business leaders of both the countries and chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with the focus on trade and investment, innovation, S&T, skill development, smart cities, clean energy, digitization, and health. I would also call on His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden” he added.

 

India and Sweden will jointly organize the India-Nordic Summit in Stockholm on 17th April with the Prime Ministers of Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. The Nordic countries have globally recognized strengths in clean technologies, environmental solutions, ports modernization, cold-chains, skill development, and innovation. Nordic competencies fit well with our vision for India’s transformation.

On 18th April 2018, he will be in London on the invitation of Prime Minister Theresa May. He had last visited the UK in November 2015. India and the United Kingdom share a modern partnership bound by strong historical ties.

 

PM Modi further said, “My visit to London presents another opportunity for both countries to infuse fresh momentum to this growing bilateral engagement. I will be focusing on enhancing India-UK partnership in the areas healthcare, innovation, digitization, electric mobility, clean energy, and cybersecurity. Under the theme of “Living Bridge”, I will also have the opportunity to meet people from various walks of life who have enriched the multi-faceted India-UK relationship.”

 

“I would also call on Her Majesty The Queen, interact briefly with CEOs of the two nations who are working on a new agenda of economic partnership, launch an Ayurveda Centre of Excellence in London, and welcome the UK into the International Solar Alliance, as its newest member” Modi added.

PM Modi also said, “on 19th and 20th April I will also participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting being hosted by the United Kingdom which will take over as the new Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth from Malta. The Commonwealth is a unique multilateral grouping that not only provides useful assistance to its developing country members, particularly the small states and small island developing states but also has a strong international voice for development issues.”