With the aim of strengthening India’s strategic engagement and the trade ties with 4 European Countries-Italy, France, Luxembourg and Belgium-External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday left for a 7-day European tour.
The top leadership of the European Union will be met by her in Brussels, to discuss the removal of obstacles the resumption of negotiations on the long-pending EU-India free trade pact.
The visit scheduled from June 17-23 offers a wide range of opportunity to hold comprehensive talks with the political leadership of respective nations on a wide range of global, regional and bilateral issues which may advance India’s growing strategic engagement with the European Union.
See also:Sushma Reaches out to Iran on Nuclear deal defying the US sanctions
The first visit will be to Italy where she will meet the new PM of Italy Guiseppe Conte, which is considered as a major political exchange between India and Italy after the new PM of Italy took his charge. Afterwards, Sushma will meet her counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi.
On June 18, Sushma Swaraj will visit France where she will be spending two days. A meeting is scheduled between Sushma and French External Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to review the bilateral relations. The meeting acquires significance as its the 20th anniversary of India-France strategic partnership.
From 19-20, she will be in Luxembourg in a first-ever visit there by an Indian External Affairs Minister, says MEA. During her stay there she will be visiting Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri Albert Gabriel Felix Marie Guilaume and Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.
The MEA said that Swaraj would also have meetings with Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Pierre Gramegna, the Minister of Finance and in Luxembourg, she would also interact with the Indian community.
Finally, she will be visiting Belgium from June 20 to 23.
A meeting will be held in Brussels with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Didier Reynders.
Sushma Swaraj will also meet the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani.A meeting with her counterpart Federica Mogherini, who is also the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to review the entire gamut of India-EU relations.
A keynote speech ‘Climate, Peace and Security: Time for Action’ will be delivered at the high-level event by Sushma Swaraj. She will also lead the International Day for Yoga(IDY) celebrations at the European Parliament and also will interact with the Indian community.
Post Your Comments