Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Germany on 29-30 May 2017 at the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel for the Fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC). The two-day visit began from Meseberg near Berlin in Germany, where Chancellor Merkel had invited Prime Minister Modi to hold discussions on issues of regional and global importance.
The visit saw the two leaders chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science & technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine. Prime Minister Modi also called on the German President, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
During his visit to Berlin, for the fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations [IGC] between India and Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel agreed to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between India and Germany by deepening cooperation on foreign policy and security issues as well as on sustainable development and enhanced trade and investment ties.
The two sides also inked 12 agreements in fields like cyber policy, development initiatives, sustainable urban development, continued development of cluster managers and skill development, digitalisation, railway security and promotion of vocational training.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Spain from 30 – 31 May 2017. This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in almost three decades. During his visit he called on King Felipe VI and met President Mariano Rajoy.
The two leaders discussed ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in the economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism and also witnessed inking of seven agreements between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi also met top CEOs of Spanish industry at first India-Spain CEOs Forum and encouraged them to partner with Indi’s 'Make in India' Initiative.
During Prime Minister's two day visit, President Rajoy and PM Modi held fruitful discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues reflecting a wide convergence in mutual views. They acknowledged the progress in bilateral relations in recent years and committed to further strengthen them based on common values and a shared vision of constructive globalization, for ensuring the prosperity and well being of all.
The two sides signed agreements on - transfer of sentenced persons and visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports. The five MoUs inked were - Cooperation in organ transplantation, Cyber Security, Renewable Energy, Civil Aviation and one between India's Foreign Service Institute and Diplomatic Academy of Spain.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France from 2-3 June, 2017. During the visit, he had an official meeting with the newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron.
France is among India’s most important strategic partners; 9th largest investment partner and a key partner in India’s development initiatives in the area of defence, space, nuclear and renewable energy, urban development and railways.
The two leaders had discussions on issues of mutual interest and exchanged views on important global issues including UN Security Council reforms, India’s permanent membership of the UNSC, India’s membership of the various multilateral export control regimes, counter-terrorism cooperation, collaboration on Climate Change and International Solar Alliance.
The visit also saw the Prime Minister pay homage at Arc de Triomphe to those, including 150,000 Indians who laid down their lives for France during the world Wars.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a working visit to Portugal on 24 June 2017. India and Portugal’s historical and friendly ties picked up momentum after the visit of Prime Minister Antonio Costa to India in January 2017.
Building on their recent discussions, the two leaders reviewed progress of various joint initiatives and decisions and discussed ways to further enhance the bilateral engagement, especially in the areas of economic cooperation, science & technology, space collaboration and people-to-people ties. They also deliberated on means to intensify cooperation on counter-terrorism and other international issues of mutual interest
"To support our collaboration in cutting edge technology, we have agreed to set up a Joint S&T Fund of 4 million Euros. We are also keen to learn from Portuguese expertise in nanotechnology, marine sciences and oceanography."
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
India and Portugal signed 11 bilateral agreements covering - Cooperation in Outer Space, Double Taxation Avoidance, Nano Technology, improving cultural ties, Public Administration and Governance Reforms, Youth and Sports, Higher Education, scientific research, Biotechnology and setting up of a Portugal-India Business Hub and Indian Chamber of Commerce.
"Our cultural engagement is expanding.....I also thank Portugal for sharing with us a digital version of 12,000 documents comprising exchange of letters between Goa and Portugal in the 17th century."
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Accompanied by Prime Minister Antonio Costa, Prime Minister Modi visited the facilities at the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, and interacted briefly with Indian researchers.The Foundation is a private biomedical research foundation which provides cutting-edge cancer treatment, and supports "ahead of the curve" cancer research. It offers a new holistic approach to medical care, that integrates day to day treatment with research and innovation in a green environment, closely linked to nature.
The Centre's design, which features a tropical garden, views to the river and sea, and plenty of sunlight, was designed by one of India's most eminent architects: Charles Correa.
Out of the 300 researchers from 42 nations, 3 researchers at the Foundation represent India. It has a tie-up with the Prasad Institute in Hyderabad. The largest number of overseas patients for cancer treatment in Champalimaud Foundation are from India.
Prime Minister Modi paid a working visit to The Netherlands on 27 June 2017, at the invitation of his Dutch counterpart, Prime Minister Mark Rutte. During the visit, he called on King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and meet Queen Maxima. He also had an official meeting with Prime Minister Rutte. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the longstanding and historical bonds of friendship between the two countries, spanning over four centuries and noted a significant expansion in bilateral economic and commercial engagement. Political, economic, institutional and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation have clearly gained further momentum.
India and the Netherlands celebrate 70 years of the establishment of Indo-Dutch diplomatic relations this year.
Economic relations form the core of India and the Netherlands relations as the dutch nation is India’s 6th largest trading partner in the EU and 5th largest investment partner globally. The Dutch expertise in areas such as water and waste management, agriculture and food processing, renewable energy and ports and shipping, matches with India’s development needs.
During the day long visit Prime Minister Modi met CEOs of major Dutch companies operating in the Indian market and those who are keen to invest there. He also met members of the Indian community which is the second largest Indian Diaspora in Europe.
On 27 June 2017, Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, paid a working visit to The Netherlands. Prime Minister Modi's itinerary included official meetings with Prime Minister Rutte. The two leaders noted a significant expansion in bilateral economic and commercial engagement. The Netherlands is the 5th largest source of Foreign Direct Investment for India. A vast array of natural synergies provides ample opportunities for complementarity: in many sectors, India’s needs match Dutch strengths and vice versa. In Agriculture, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Ports and Logistics and Renewable Energy promising partnerships have already been established.
A key ingredient in the Indo-Dutch cooperation is the use of innovation and technology to improve water and waste management, thus contributing to the Clean India campaign. Dutch agro-experts are involved in exploring ways to shift to crops that are less water intensive and will generate higher income for the farmer. In this context, the Netherlands has created a consortium of fruit chain companies mainly working in hilly regions, creating a win-win situation, as India can develop its fruit sector in a faster pace with opportunities for Dutch companies and knowledge. The Prime Ministers also noted with satisfaction that more Dutch companies are planning significant investments in India, supporting the Make in India campaign.
The two sides inked MOUs on Cultural Cooperation, Water Cooperation and Agreement on Amending Social Security Arrangement
At the joint interaction with Dutch CEOs, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India as a land of opportunities, the country's flourishing growth rate and reforms being undertaken to boost FDI.
He said that his Government was determined to enhance ease of doing business and bring standards at par with global standards. He also appreciated Dutch Indian Water Alliance for Leadership Initiative (DIWALI) - A joint water tech initiative by both the countries.
"The colours of our passport may be anything, but our ties are that of blood and our ties are very special"
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Interacting with the second largest Indian diaspora in entire Europe, Prime Minister Modi said that each and every Indian staying in any part of the world was a 'Rashtradoot' (India's ambassador to the world). Shri Modi said that India took pride in being the land of diversity. Highlighting the strength of participative governance, PM Modi said, "Since taking office, our priority is Jan Bhagidari. We seek strength from people to bring a transformative change."
Prime Minister Modi also urged people in Netherlands to get their OCI cards.
