Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to bolster ties with India's European partners in the country's quest for "peace and prosperity", ahead of his tour of Germany, Denmark and France amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
Modi will first travel to Germany on May 2, where he is slated to hold bilateral talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and address the Indian diaspora. From Germany, he will go to Denmark and will have a brief stopover in Paris on his way back home on May 4.
In a pre-departure statement, Modi said on Sunday, "My visit to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices... I intend to strengthen the spirit of cooperation with our European partners, who are important companions in India’s quest for peace and prosperity."
In Berlin, Modi is slated to hold bilateral talks with Scholz, and the two "will co-chair the sixth edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations", according to the Foreign Ministry.
"During his visit, the Prime Minister and German Chancellor Scholz would also jointly address a business event. The Prime Minister will address and interact with the Indian community in Germany."
From Germany, Modi will head to Copenhagen. Apart from holding bilateral talks with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, the Indian PM will participate in the second India-Nordic summit being hosted by Denmark, reports UNB citing the Foreign Ministry.
At the India-Nordic summit, Modi will also hold talks with Premier Katrín Jakobsdóttir of Iceland, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway, Premier Magdalena Andersson of Sweden and PM Sanna Marin of Finland.
On his return journey on May 4, Modi is scheduled to make a stopover in Paris and meet French President Emmanuel Macron, who was recently re-elected for a second five-year term.
“President Macron has very recently been re-elected, and my visit just 10 days after the result will not only allow me to convey my personal congratulations in-person, but also reaffirm the close friendship between the two countries," Modi said.
"This will also give us the opportunity to set the tone of the next phase of the India-France Strategic Partnership,” according to the Indian PM's statement published on his official website.