PM Modi Ends 3-Nation Tour With a ‘Wonderful’ Meeting With Merkel
Modi’s brief stop-over in Berlin marked the last leg of his three-nation tour to the UK, Sweden and Germany.
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"Opportunity for India, UK to Infuse Fresh Momentum"
From Sweden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the UK on Tuesday, 17 April, where he will also attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), besides holding bilateral talks with his British counterpart Theresa May.
"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 of healthcare, innovation, digitisation, electric mobility, clean energy, and cyber security," the Prime Minister of India said.
He further added, "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."
Modi said he would also call on 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.
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PM Itinerary in Sweden
In the first leg of his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Sweden's capital Stockholm where he will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, besides attending an India-Nordic summit.
Modi said he and Lofven would also interact with top business leaders of both the countries and chart out a future roadmap of cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, science and technology, clean energy, and smart cities.
The Prime Minister said he would also call on King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf.
India and Sweden will also jointly organise the India-Nordic summit in Stockholm on Tuesday, 17 April, which is scheduled to be attended by the Prime Ministers of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.
'Historic Visit by PM Modi': Indian Ambassador to Sweden and Latvia
The Indian Ambassador to Sweden and Latvia, Monika Kapil Mohta, hailed PM Modi’s impending Swedish visit as a ‘historic visit’, as it is the first in 30 years.
Modi To Call on The Queen During His London Visit
"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 of healthcare, innovation, digitisation, electric mobility, clean energy, and cyber security," the prime minister said on his upcoming visit to the United Kingdom.
"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," he said.
Modi would also call on 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.
Togadia Slams PM's Foreign Tour When 'Daughters Are Not Safe'
Former VHP leader Pravin Togadia, who is going to sit on an indefinite fast from tomorrow, kept up his attack on Narendra Modi saying the prime minister is going abroad when "daughters are not safe".
The state spokesperson of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, meanwhile, came out in Togadia's support, claiming that the entire Gujarat unit was behind the firebrand leader.
"Today our soldiers are not safe on borders, farmers are committing suicide and our daughters are not safe in their homes. And yet, our prime minister has embarked on a foreign tour," Togadia told reporters.
PM Modi Arrives in Stockholm, Received by Swedish PM at Airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Stockholm during the wee hours of Tuesday, 17 April. He was received by Swedish PM Stefan Lofven at the airport.
Soon after his arrival, Modi met people from the Indian community in Stockholm.
'Discussions Will be on How Nordic Countries Can Help in India's Development Programmes'
Speaking about the significance of the India-Nordic Summit in Sweden, Vani Rao, the Indian Ambassador to Finland, told ANI:
Indian Community Welcomes Modi in Stockholm
The Indian community in Sweden gave a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in Stockholm.
Modi landed in Stockholm, Sweden, in the early hours of Tuesday for a two-day visit.
PM Modi Meets King of Sweden
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the King of Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf, in Stockholm. Modi and Gustaf exchanged views on strengthening bilateral cooperation across several sectors.
PM Modi Holds Bilateral Talks With Swedish Counterpart
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 17 April, had a "productive exchange" of views on bilateral and regional issues with his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven and called on Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf.
Addressing a joint press statement, Swedish PM Stefan Lofven affirmed that India and Sweden were to work on a security agreement.
PM Modi said the two countries had also agreed to strengthen defence and security cooperation, along with an innovation partnership and a joint action plan.
Kumar said the two leaders had a "productive exchange of views on bilateral and regional issues." Earlier, Prime Minister Modi called on King Gustaf and exchanged views on strengthening bilateral cooperation across several sectors.
PM Modi Meets Iceland Counterpart
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Iceland counterpart, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, in Stockholm.
PM Modi Address Indian Diaspora at Stockholm University
“Namaskar everyone,” said Sweden Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, as he welcomed PM Modi for his address to the Indian community at the Stockholm University.
Amidst thundering applause, PM Modi greeted the Indian community. He expressed gratitude to the King of Sweden, PM Lofven and the citizens for extending a warm welcome to him and his delegation, ANI reported.
“Language can be different, circumstances varied, but there is one thing that binds is all – and that is of being Indian,” Modi said in his emphatic address.
“Now, empowerment is a tool, especially for women, who have been poverty stricken,” Modi said, highlighting that there has been a significant departure from sloganeering about ‘Garibi Hatao.’
Wooing the Indian diaspora in Sweden, the PM said, “Come to India to trade, innovate and invest.”
Harping on his ‘New India’ vision, the prime minister urged the predominantly Indian audience to become a part of the present wave of innovation in the country.
PM Modi Departs From Stockholm for London
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from Stockholm for London on Tuesday, 17 April. He will hold a meeting with UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in London.
PM Modi Arrives at London's Heathrow Airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in London on Wednesday, 18 April.
PM Modi Meets UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson
Indian Community Welcomes Modi in London
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by the Indian community outside St James Court Hotel in London, reported ANI.
Modi will speak on ‘Bharat Ki Baat , Sab Ke Saath’ in Central Hall Westminster at 9 pm (IST). Priti Patel, Member of Parliament for Witham, Essex, also welcomed Modi.
PM Modi Meets Theresa May
Prime Minister Modi met his United Kingdom counterpart, Theresa May, at 10, Downing Street in London, reported ANI. Modi held bilateral talks with May with trade, cyber security, innovation and technology high on agenda during meeting.
Modi Pays Tribute to 12th Century Lingayat Philosopher Basaveshwara
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes at the bust of Basaveshwara (12th-century Lingayat philosopher) at Albert Embankment Gardens on the banks of the River Thames.
Following the ceremony, the Prime Minister tweeted, “On his Jayanti, I bow to Bhagwan Basaveshwara. He has a special place in our history and culture. His emphasis on social harmony, brotherhood, unity and compassion always inspires us. Bhagwan Basaveshwara brought our society together and gave importance to knowledge.”
PM Modi Meets Prince Charles
Prime Minister Modi met Prince Charles in London where they together visited an exhibition on '5000 Years of Science and Innovation'.
The event, billed as the centrepiece of the "Living Bridge" theme of the India-UK bilateral visit, will involve the PM addressing questions from across the world which have already been received via social media.
Post-Brexit UK Will Be Just as Important to India, Says Modi
Britain will be just as important to India after it leaves the EU as it is now, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his British counterpart Theresa May.
"Prime Minister Modi said there would be no dilution in the importance of the UK to India post-Brexit," May’s spokeswoman said in a statement. "He said the City of London was of great importance to India for accessing the global markets and would remain so," the statement further added.
Britain is due to leave the EU in March 2019 but has negotiated a conditional transition or implementation period to last until January 2021.
"May said the implementation period agreed in March gives Indian companies and investors the confidence that market access will continue on current terms until the end of 2020," the statement said.
"She reiterated that the UK will remain committed to global free trade and investment and that the UK will remain a leading hub for global finance," it added.
Modi, May Hold Talks on Infusing New Energy Into Post-Brexit Bilateral Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart discussed ways to boost cooperation between India and UK.
During a discussion on legal matters concerning both countries, which is likely to have covered extradition matters, May welcomed the return of the "Chennai Six", the former British soldiers accused of piracy who were freed from an Indian jail last year, to the UK.
The two leaders said trade between the UK and India had grown strongly over the last year and agreed to build on the recommendations of the UK-India Joint Trade Review to reduce barriers to trade, to make it easier to do business in both countries and enable a stronger bilateral trade relationship for the future.
May and Modi discussed a new UK-India Tech Partnership, which will create thousands of jobs and generate significant investment in both our economies.
Looking ahead at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Thursday, they also agreed on the importance of working together to build a more "sustainable, prosperous, secure and fairer future" for all Commonwealth citizens.
A "flash mob" of sari-clad women from Indian Ladies in UK, accompanied by dhols, had gathered outside Downing Street to welcome the Indian PM with banners such as "In India, peace is always in fashion".
PM Modi Arrives at London Central Hall Westminster
PM Modi arrives at London's Central Hall Westminster for ‘Bharat ki Baat, Sabke Saath’ event.
PM Modi brought up the heinous Kathua Rape at the London event and said, “We must question our sons, not daughters.”
'India Knows How to Teach a Lesson to Those Exporting Terror': PM Modi on Surgical Strikes
During the interaction at the 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' event in UK, PM Modi brought up the issue of surgical strikes against Pakistan saying, "India knows how to teach a lesson to those who run the industry of exporting terror and killing Indians."
'Need of the Hour is to Make Development a Mass Movement': PM Modi
Emphasising on the "development" and "pro-poor" agenda of his government, Modi told the Indian community in London that "the need of the hour is to make development a mass movement".
The days of incremental change are over, he said at the Central Hall in Westminster.
Asserting that he was determined to bring about a positive change in the lives of India's poor, Modi said:
'I Will Go to Israel and Even to Palestine': PM Modi on His Brand of Foreign Policy
Speaking about his brand of foreign policy, Modi told the Indian community in London that he seeks cooperation with various countries even though they might be at conflict with each other.
He further asserted that the power of the Indian passport has increased, with people looking at the Indian community with pride.
'A Rape is a Rape': PM Modi Slams Politicisation of the Issue
Speaking at the London event, PM Modi also brought up the heinous Kathua rape and said, “We must question our sons, not daughters.”
PM Modi Meets Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an audience with Queen Elizabeth at the Buckingham Palace in London on 18 April, as part of his official visit to the UK.
PM Modi Will Attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Thursday at the Buckingham Palace. He will begin his day by visiting the International Media Centre at Marlborough House.
The summit will be opened by Queen Elizabeth at 10 am (local time). Leaders of 53 Commonwealth nations will be attending the summit.
Various bilateral meetings are expected to take place on the sidelines of the executive sessions.
According to ANI, Queen Elizabeth will host a reception dinner for the leaders of the commonwealth nation in the evening.
Denied Permission to Attend PM Modi's Event, Claims UK Student Group
A student group in UK has claimed that they were denied permission to attend Prime Minister Modi’s event in London on Wednesday, 18 April.
In a Facebook post, the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU UK) has claimed that despite having confirmation, their delegates were not given tickets for ‘Bharat Ki Baat Sabke Saath’ where Prime Minister Modi was expected to respond to their letter on the issue safety of women in India.
Further, the group of students have alleged that their signatories were pressurised to retract ahead of the event.
A member of the group asked Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale the reason for the cancellation to which the Foreign Secretary refused to comment and thee High Commissioner advised them to wait for the Prime Minister to address, reported NDTV.
PM Modi Arrives for The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet, Queen Delivers Speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Buckingham Palace to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meet. Modi was received by UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May.
Queen, the Head of the Commonwealth, opened the summit for what may be the last time.
With her speech, her Majesty declared the 2018 CHOGM open - a discussion towards a common future.
Queen also made her first direct intervention into a succession plan for the Commonwealth, indicating that she would like her son and heir, Prince Charles, to take over as the Head of the 53-member organisation.
Modi Holds Bilateral Talks with Hasina, 10 Others on CHOGM Sidelines
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings, including his counterparts from Bangladesh, Australia and the President of Seychelles, on the sidelines of the multilateral Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London on Thursday.
Modi interacted with Sheikh Hasina as well, their first meeting since the Bangladeshi Prime Minister's visit to New Delhi last year.
Some of the other world leaders expected to have one-on-one deliberations with the Indian prime minister during the CHOGM include Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Michael Holness.
Gambian President Adama Barrow, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the President of Seychelles Danny Faure are also on the list.
PM Modi Attends Dinner Hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin
After his visits to Sweden and UK, PM Narendra Modi briefly stopped over at Berlin, Germany, on Friday, 20 April, where attended a dinner hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Modi said he had a "wonderful meeting" with Merkel and discussed multiple aspects relating to bilateral cooperation as well as other global issues.
The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen India-Germany cooperation, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, adding that Modi's visit "demonstrates India's mutual desire to strengthen the strategic partnership".
Modi's meeting with Merkel comes after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's trip to India last month, which focused on boosting economic and strategic ties between the two countries, reported PTI.
Germany is India's largest trade partner in the European Union bloc.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a dinner hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Friday, 20 April, terming the meeting “wonderful”.
Modi’s brief stop-over in Berlin marked the last leg of his three-nation tour to the UK, Sweden and Germany. In the UK, Modi attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and held a series of bilateral meetings, including with UK PM Theresa May. He also addressed a diaspora event called ‘Bharat ki Baat, Sabke Saath’ in London.
- The Commonwealth Summit was opened by Queen Elizabeth as a discussion towards a common future
- The PM also met Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace during his visit to the UK
- At the ‘Bharat ki Baat, Sabke Saath’ event on 18 April, Modi brought up the Kathua rape incident, as he slammed politicisation of rapes
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