PM Modi starts four-nation tour today with visit to Germany; focus on cooperation, counter-terrorism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday will embark on on a six-day tour to Germany, Spain, Russia and France to boost economic engagement, defence and nuclear cooperation with these countries.

On the first leg of his tour, he will attend the biannual Inter-Governmental consultations in Germany and then fly to Spain in what will be an Indian Prime Minister's first visit in nearly 30 years. He will arrive in Russia for the annual bilateral summit, and on the last leg, he will meet newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Randhir Jaiswal, Joint Secretary (Europe West) said both sides are expected to sign several MoUs in Germany that will broaden the scope and canvas of the bilateral relations. "It (Germany) is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union. It is also one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment into India," he said. There are more than 1,600 German companies doing business in India besides 600 joint ventures. "German economic profile, support, excellence, expertise match with our development priorities, be it Make in India, Skill India, Clean India, Digital India, Smart cities among others," he said.

After a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Modi will leave for Spain on May 30 in what will be the first prime ministerial visit from India to that country since the visit of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988. On May 31, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral summit with Spanish Premier Mariano Rajoy. Modi will also call on Spanish King Felipe VI and interact with a select group of Spanish CEOs who are keen to invest.

From Spain, Modi will travel to Russia on May 31 and hold the 18th annual bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 1 in St Petersburg. The following day, he will, for the first time, attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, a business event.

GV Srinivas, Joint Secretary (Eurasia), Ministry of External Affairs, said Modi's participation in SPIEF signals the emphasis on trade and investment during the Russian leg of the tour.

In a departure statement, PM Modi said he and Chancellor Merkel will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science & technology, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine.

He said during his meeting the Spanish President Mariano Rajoy he will seek active participation of Spanish industry in various Indian projects including smart cities, digital economy and others.

...& ANALYSIS

• The visit is important as the PM is likely to discuss the Indo-EU free trade agreement with the leadership in Germany, Spain and France.
   
• A preferential access to the European market is critical in view of India's falling exports.
   
• The talks stalled since May 2013, when India and the EU failed to bridge gaps on crucial issues, including data security status in the IT sector.