Finance
Energy security will be a prominent emphasis during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE on Friday, with two important MoUs on LPG and strategic petroleum reserves expected to be signed, according to government sources.
India is said to be in talks with the UAE on potential long-term alternate routes that avoid the Strait of Hormuz and ensure reliable energy flows out of the Gulf region.
Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, briefed the media that PM Modi would arrive in the UAE on Friday for the first leg of his five-nation journey, where he will meet with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He said the two leaders will exchange views on bilateral issues, in particular energy cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Modi will embark on a six-day trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy on Friday. The Prime Minister will go to the Netherlands for the second phase of his tour on the same day. This will be the prime minister’s second trip to the Netherlands since 2017. George added that during his tour, he will meet with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, as well as Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
For the third leg of the visit, PM Modi will travel to Sweden’s Gothenburg and hold bilateral talks with his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, to review the entire range of bilateral relations and explore new avenues of cooperation to enhance bilateral trade and collaboration in green transition, AI, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate action and people-to-people ties.
The two Prime Ministers will also speak at the European Round Table for Industry, a major pan-European business leaders’ conference, alongside the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
George further informed that during the fourth part of his tour, the Prime Minister will go to Norway on Monday for the 3rd India-Nordic Summit and bilateral meetings.
He stated that the summit will add a strategic dimension to India’s relations with the Nordic countries, particularly in technology and innovation, green transition and renewable energy, sustainability, blue economy, defense, space, and the Arctic.
George also revealed that the Prime Minister will spend the final leg of his journey in Italy on Tuesday. During his visit, PM Modi will meet with President Sergio Mattarella and hold meetings with Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. PM Modi will also visit the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) headquarters.
Source: IANS
