Decoded | PM Modi’s diplomatically packed three-day tour of Europe

Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed a diplomatically packed three-day tour of Europe, visiting Germany, Denmark, and France.

On the top of the agenda was a 10-billion-euro trade deal with Germany, the 2nd Indo-Nordic summit, and a visit to recently re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.

Germany

After a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Germany, the Prime Minister engaged in the sixth Indo-German Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) with German chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The timing of the IGC, which Germany chose not to delay, indicates outreach towards the Indo-Pacific region, whom Germany may look to for future trade and investment in the wake of the Ukraine crisis. Germany is already India’s largest trading partner in Europe with bilateral trade of over $21 billion.

Germany committed a new and additional financing of €10 billion to fund green projects in India under public, private and PPP models.

Scholz also called India a ‘super-partner’ in economic, security policy, and climate terms. Significantly, he also invited PM Modi to the upcoming G7 summit in Germany.

In a statement after bilateral talks, PM Modi also reiterated his call to both Russia and Ukraine to end the fighting.

Also Watch: How Germany gave PM Modi a ceremonial welcome; Russia-Ukraine war discussed with Olaf Scholz? | IGC

Denmark

In Denmark, a royal visit saw the Prime Minister call on Danish Queen Margrethe II in Copenhagen, before attending the second India-Nordic summit, which saw participation from the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway.

During the summit, the Prime Ministers pledged to deepen cooperation between the Nordic countries and India, and focused their discussions on key issues ranging from post-pandemic economic recovery to global security, economic growth, innovation and climate change. PM Modi also held bilateral talks with Prime Ministers individually.

India’s fast growing economy, with an annual GDP growth of 7-7.5% over the last few years, presents an ideal investment opportunity for Nordic countries.

A joint statement from all participants of the Indo-Nordic summit also said that the prime ministers expressed their serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

Also Watch: Watch PM Modi's comedy moments in Denmark; surprises Danish PM with drumming skills

France

The Prime Minister’s visit ended with a quick stopover in France, where he greeted President Emmanuel Macron with a warm hug, just 10 days after his win in the Presidential elections. Notably, PM Modi was one of the first world leaders to visit Macron after his first Presidential win in 2017.

India and France share a strong strategic partnership free from any major irritants. Both countries also enjoy a robust economic partnership with a bilateral trade of $7.86 billion in 2020-21 & cumulative FDI of $9.83 billion since April 2000.

As India tries to navigate the new world order post the Russia-Ukraine war, a potential defence partnership with France could be on the cards, in order to lessen dependance on Russia. India and France inked a ₹59,000-crore deal for 36 Rafale jets in 2016. France has since said it is open and ready to provide more jets.

During the meeting, the two leaders took stock of the regional and global security outlook, and discussed cooperation in defence, space, economy, civil nuclear, and people-to-people ties.

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