Modi in Sweden LIVE UPDATES: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Stefan Lofven (R) during a news conference after the Innovation and Partnership Agreement been signed in the government building Rosenbad in Stockholm. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his counterparts from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark today vowed to deepen cooperation between India and the Nordic countries, as the leaders deliberated on key issues of security, economic growth and climate change. Modi and the leaders of the five Nordic countries participated in the first India-Nordic Summit co-hosted by India and Sweden in Stockholm. Later in the day, the PM also addressed the Indian diaspora at Stockholm University and said while language can be different, what binds them all is that of being an Indian. “Language can be different, circumstances varied, but there is one thing that binds is all- and that is of being Indian,” Modi said.
PM Modi also said that now empowerment was a tool for poverty-stricken women. “There used to just slogans about Garibi Hatao. Now, empowerment is a tool especially for women who have been poverty stricken,” Modi said. Speaking of the success of his government’s Ujjwala scheme, PM says, “Many of you left India years ago. You might recall, one had to wait for days for LPG gas cylinder. Now suppliers call and ask ‘can we deliver a cylinder'”.
Earlier, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven received Modi at the airport. Modi, who is on the first leg of his five-day foreign tour, will also travel to the UK where he will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). “Scripting history! PM @narendramodi arrives in Stockholm on a first bilateral visit by an Indian PM in 30 years to a warm and personal welcome by @SwedishPM Stefan Lofven at the airport and to participate in the first ever India-Nordic Summit,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs from Stockholm for London. He will hold a meeting with the UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in London.
Wooing the Indian diaspora in Sweden, Modi says, "To trade, innovate and invest, come to India. We are waiting for you." Calling each of the Indians in Sweden as an ambassador of the country, Modi says, "We have one embassy in Sweden but we have more than one ambassador. Each one of you is our ambassador. If you have your heart in innovation come be a part of enterprise of New India."
Harping on his "New India" vision, PM Modi says his government would transform India. "All these programmes (brought by the government) are not reforms. This is transformation. This is our promise. We will transform India. The road ahead is long but we have our destination in sight and determination in heart," says PM.
PM Modi says that now empowerment is a tool for poverty-stricken women. "There used to just slogans about Garibi Hatao. Now, empowerment is a tool especially for women who have been poverty stricken," says Modi. Speaking of the success of his government's Ujjwala scheme, PM says, "Many of you left India years ago. You might recall, one had to wait for days for LPG gas cylinder. Now suppliers call and ask 'can we deliver a cylinder'".
Addressing the Indian diaspora at Stockholm University, Modi says, "Language can be different, circumstances varied, but there is one thing that binds is all- and that is of being Indian." Speaking of the nations's outreach, Modi says, "Whether it be Africa or the small countries of a Pacific Ocean, or ASEAN, Europe or Asian countries, all of them view India as a trustworthy friend."
PM Narendra Modi thanks Swedish PM Stefan Lofven for the warm reception. "I want to thank his majesty King of Sweden, the Prime Minister and the people for welcoming me with so much of warmness," he says.
'Namaskar everyone,' says Sweden Prime Minister Stefan Lofven as he welcomes PM Modi who will address the Indian diaspora at an event organized at Stockholm University.
"Namaskar everyone. This will be my shortest speech ever because I know who you are waiting for," says Stefan Lofven.
PM's visit to the UK is important as he is coming a time when the UK is leaving the EU&hosting Commonwealth heads of government soon. Idea is to give make it more relevant to its member states and India is a leading member and expects it to play a leading role. There will be talks on wide range of subjects. Terrorism is a huge cause of concern for both India & UK, cooperation on security will strengthen. There is a cooperation between two countries on the issue of economic offenders: Indian High Commissioner to UK
Modi said India and Sweden have agreed to strengthen their defence and security cooperation, including in areas of defence production and cyber security. On his part, Swedish Prime Minister lauded India "global power" and said the two countries are a "perfect match". There has been an intensification of cooperation in areas such as green technology and smart cities.
This is my first visit to Sweden and a visit by an Indian PM after a gap of nearly 30 years. Sweden has been a strong contributor to our 'Make in India' program. Swedish PM led a big delegation to the Mumbai summit in 2016., says Modi in Stockholm.
I would like to commend the Indian govt and its strong focus on innovation as a key to progress and prosperity: Swedish PM Stefan Löfven
There are excellent opportunities for cooperation in the fields of smart cities, clean technology, universal housing, renewable energy, e-mobility, start-up, waste disposal, and many others with an objective of creating jobs and sustainable development for our people in India, tweeted MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
The two leaders during their meeting discussed ways to deepen trade, business and people-to-people ties between India and Sweden.
The Prime Minister has a busy schedule in Sweden today, with 10 engagements lined up, which includes a roundtable with Swedish CEOs where the PM is likely to pitch the idea of Make in India.
It is going to be a busy day for the Prime Minister. He will begin his first day by calling on King Carl XVI Gustaf in Stockholm. This will be followed by a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven. Overall, he has 10 engagements on Tuesday.
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Ahead of his visit, PM Modi had said besides holding extensive talks, he and Lofven would also interact with top business leaders of both the countries and chart out a future roadmap of cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, science and technology, clean energy and smart cities.