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OPINION JUNE 10, 2022 | The Indian Eye 10

Prime Minister Modi’s Europe Visit in

the backdrop of Russia-Ukraine conflict

Prime Minister Modi’s visit comes at a time when European nations are taking special interest
in the Indo-Pacific region. Seventy per cent of Europe’s trade passes through the Indo-Pacific. These countries are,

therefore, staunch supporters of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region

ANANDITA BHADA

rime Minister Narendra Modi
visited Germany, Denmark
Pand France from 2–4 May 2022.
There have been a series of high-pro-
file visits from Europe to India in the
recent past.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit
comes at a time when European na-
tions are taking special interest in the
Indo-Pacific region. Seventy per cent
of Europe’s trade passes through the
Indo-Pacific. These countries are,
therefore, staunch supporters of a
free, open, inclusive and rules-based
Indo-Pacific region. Owing to its stra-
tegic location in the Indo-Pacific, In-
dia is a natural ally for the Europeans.
This provides avenues for cooperation
between the two powers, as well as
help contain Chinese efforts to dom-
inate the region, which it has been do-
ing while flouting international norms.
The prime minister’s visit comes ing four lakh direct and indirect jobs. nation and political direction to the al concern. The two countries also
in the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing Long-standing commercial ties be- partnership. Major themes discussed agreed to the implementation of ‘Tri-
special military operation in Ukraine. tween India and Germany are a pillar of at the IGC were green and sustain- angular Development Cooperation
Europe has supported Ukraine by strength in their strategic partnership. able future, growth and resilience, Projects in third countries’, in Africa
supplying weapons. India, on the other PM Modi and Chancellor Olaf economy and trade and an open and Latin America. This gives an op-
hand, has not openly condemned Rus- Scholz jointly addressed the Business and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. portunity to the two nations to expand
sia’s actions even as it has called for an Round Table, where they interact- Nine agreements were signed, of their outreach to resource-rich conti-
immediate cessation of violence. India ed with top Chief Executive Officers which the Joint Declaration of Intent nents.
favors diplomacy and dialogue as the (CEOs) from both countries. Modi on ‘Green and Sustainable Partner- Before departing from Germany,
way forward to establish peace in the highlighted the broad-based reforms ship’ is the most significant.4 Chancel- Chancellor Scholz invited PM Modi to
region. Given close ties between India carried out by the government, high- lor Scholz agreed to make an advance attend the G7 summit scheduled later
and Russia, Danish Prime Minister lighted the increasing number of start- commitment of 10 billion Euros to in June 2022. Prior to the visit, there
Matte Frederiksen expressed “hope ups and unicorns and invited German fund India’s green initiatives under pri- was speculation whether India would
that India will influence Russia” to put businesspersons to invest in India. vate, public and Public–Private Part- be invited for the summit, owing to its
an end to the violence in Ukraine. Government officials and CEOs dis- nership (PPP) models until 2030. This response to the Russia–Ukraine crisis.
cussed a wide array of issues ranging will further strengthen India’s journey The West now seems to understand
Visit to Germany from climate cooperation and research to go green and meet its commitments India’s stand in the Ukraine crisis and
and development to resilient supply made at Glasgow in 2021. The two na- the rationale behind it.
Prime Minister’s visit to Germany chains. Such events are expected to tions also signed agreements regard-
came at a critical juncture as India and further enhance industry-to-industry ing establishment of green hydrogen Visit to Denmark
Germany marked 70 years of diplo- cooperation and help the two econo- task force and cooperation on renew-
matic relations in 2021. This industrial mies in their post-pandemic recovery. able energy partnership. The successful visit to Germany
hub of Europe is also India’s largest The two leaders co-chaired the Another agreement was the es- set the right tone for Modi’s next stops.
trading partner within Europe and Sixth India–Germany Inter-Gov- tablishment of a direct encrypted con- He was personally received by Danish
amongst the top 10 trading partners ernmental Consultations (IGC), nection between Ministry of External PM, Matte Frederiksen at the airport.
in the world. Bilateral trade between which was attended by important Affairs (MEA) and the German For- The two leaders engaged in bilateral
the two nations in 2021–22 was US$ ministers and officials from both eign Office, which will help steer the discussions, focusing on cooperation
24.8 billion. More than 1,700 German the sides. This biennial ministerial Indo-German diplomatic relations on renewable energy, ports, shipping
companies are based in India, provid- forum provides high-level coordi- and cooperation over matters of glob- Continued at next page... >>

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