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PM Modi likely to meet leaders of Germany, Denmark, France next month.
Apr 20, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold a series of dialogues with European leaders between April 21 and the first week of May. This comes amid mounting pressure on India to sever ties with Moscow in view of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

As per the sources in the PMO, PM Modi is expected to undertake a tour of three European nations-- Germany, Denmark and France-- in the first week of May. An official announcement regarding the same is expected later.

A senior official said that since the 2022 French presidential election is set for April 24, PM Modi’s visit to France could hinge on whether the key European nation will give Emmanuel Macron five more years, or elect a new president to the Élysée Palace.

Prior to his tour of three nations, PM Modi is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who are scheduled to visit India.

As per officials, British Prime Minister Johnson's two day visit to India, which starts on April 21, marks a push to 'restart with renewed energy ' talks on a proposed Indo-British trade pact as it had run into stalemate as the two sides couldn’t negotiate past contentious issues of market access and tariff reduction.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen will be visiting India on April 24 as the chief guest of 'Raisina Dialogue' which was Inducted in 2016 as India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics committed to addressing challenges faced by the global community.

PM MODI’S EUROPEAN VISIT

PM Modi’s visit to European nations come as a time when India has firmly state that it will decide its own foreign policy. Recently, the stand taken by India over the Russia-Ukraine conflict at various global forums, as well the country’s attempts to augment its energy needs through purchase of Russian oil has been criticised by the US.

As per a senior government source, the ties with Europe are critical for India at such a time and the PM’s focus will remain on promoting regional cooperation, trade, and economics.

'European Union is India’s third largest trade partner and India would like to ensure that the ongoing cooperation programmes do not get impacted by the stress Russia-Ukraine conflict is creating,' the official said.

Earlier this month, at the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged India not to buy additional Russian oil. He said, "When it comes to oil purchases, sanctions, et cetera, I just note that there are carve-outs for energy purchases. Of course, we're encouraging countries not to purchase additional energy supplies from Russia. Every country is differently situated, has different needs, requirements, but we're looking to allies and partners not to increase their purchases of Russian energy."

In response, EAM S Jaishankar said India's total purchase for the month would be less than what Europe buys in an afternoon.

EAM Jaishankar said, "If you are looking at energy purchases from Russia, I would suggest that your attention should be focused on Europe, which probably - we do buy some energy which is necessary for our energy security, but I suspect looking at the figures, probably our total purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon."

WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THESE MEETINGS?

Sources said that the final touches to the tour of the three nations are being provided, adding that if there is no major change in France, PM Modi could travel to the three nations between May 1-5.

In an attempt to push for greater trade, removing hurdles and firming up supply chain, PM Modi is expected to hold top level dialogues during his visit.

In Germany, PM Modi is expected to hold his first ever one-on-one meet with German chancellor Olaf Schultz. In Denmark, PM Modi’s focus will be on improving India’s ties with Nordic nations like Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland

Prime Minister of Denmark H E Mette Frederiksen visited India in October 2021. During the visit, the two countries decided to further expand collaboration in the areas of agriculture technology, including in the sectors of food safety, cold chain, food processing, fertilizers, fisheries, aquaculture, etc.

PM Frederiksen had extended an invitation to PM Modi to visit Copenhagen for the second India-Nordic summit in 2022.

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