Narendra Modi is likely to visit Norway, Croatia, Netherlands next month: Reports
Days after US Vice President JD Vance visits India, New Delhi's next attention is likely to shift towards Europe with PM Narendra Modi scheduled to visit Norway, Croatia and the Netherlands next month, media reports said.
"This visit is being planned for mid-May and comes even as India and Europe have seen a number of engagements this year," WION reported.
India-Norway Ties
Modi's upcoming visit to Norway assumes significance since both nations are trying to expand trade under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).
It was signed last year and ratified by Norway.
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, valued at over $1 trillion, is a major investor in India. Cooperation in renewable energy, maritime industries, the blue economy, and Arctic affairs has been part of the conversation between the two countries, with Norway supporting India’s International Solar Alliance and its bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, WION reported.
India-Nordic Summit
A major part of Modi's engagement in the Norway leg of his three-nation tour will be participating in the third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo on May 15.
Apart from India, the other participating nations of the summit will be Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Modi-Mette Frederiksen Telephonic Conversation
Indian PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with his Denmark counterpart Mette Frederiksen when they discussed the expansion of the Green Strategic Partnership in various fields, which have created favorable conditions for Danish investments in India to contribute to the green transition.
During the telephone conversation, the two leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral relations as well as global developments.
"Recalling high-level exchanges between both countries ever since the launch of the Green Strategic Partnership in 2020, the leaders noted the expansion of the Green Strategic Partnership in various fields which have created favorable conditions for Danish investments in India to contribute to green transition," read a statement issued by the Indian Prime Minister's Office.
Narendra Modi said that he was looking forward to the 3rd India-Nordic Summit scheduled to be held later this year in Norway, and his meeting with Prime Minister Frederiksen at that time.
Apart from Norway, he is expected to visit Croatia and the Netherlands in May.
JD Vance
The US vice president, along with his wife, Usha, and their three children- Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel- are scheduled to land at the Palam airbase here at 10 am on Monday.
They will arrive in India on a four-day visit.
The Vances will be welcomed on their arrival by a senior Union minister, said reports.
Besides Delhi, Vance and his family will travel to Jaipur and Agra.
At least five senior officials, including those from the Pentagon and the State Department, will accompany Vance during his India visit.
After arrival in Delhi, Vance and his family are scheduled to visit the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple and could also venture to a shopping complex selling traditional Indian handcrafted goods, media reports said.
At 6:30 pm on Monday, Modi will host Vance for talks that are expected to focus on an early finalisation of the proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra are expected to be part of the Indian team.
Vance's visit to India will follow their trip to Italy.
In Rome, Vance is expected to meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is due to visit the White House on Thursday.