Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu went on a visit to 3 Baltic nations Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from August 17-21, 2019 to enhance India’s bilateral ties with each of the three countries and help in promoting people-to-people contacts and business opportunities. He was the first high-level dignitary from India to visit the three countries. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, Minister of State for Human Resource Development (HRD), Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Smt. Ranee Narah, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Shri Manas Ranjan Bhunia, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Shri Ramesh Bidhuri, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha and senior officers of the Government of India.
Visit to Lithuania (August 17-19, 2019)
On the arrival of the Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu at Vilnius, Lithuania, he was received by Mr. Linas Linkevicius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Julius Pranevicius, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to India, Shri Tsewang Namgyal, Ambassador of India to Poland & Lithuania & others.
Guard of Honour
On the arrival at the Presidential Palace, Vice president was welcomed by Mr. Gitanas Nauseda, President of the Republic of Lithuania. He also received the guard of honour.
Addresses
Vice president addressed the Indian community at Vilnius, Lithuania. He said that the business sentiment following the numerous initiatives implemented by the Government of India was positive and upbeat. “The New India’s mantra is “Reform, Perform and Transform”. He spoke on Make in India campaign, Smart Cities, Digital India and Skill India Missions and the successful launch of ‘Chadrayaan 2’. Lithuania could be an important technology partner for India.
India Lithuania Business Forum 2019
Vice President addressed the India Lithuania Business Forum 2019 in Vilnius, Lithuania. He invited a Business delegation from Lithuania to participate in India Europe Business Forum 2019.
‘History of Lithuania’ in Hindi presented to Vice President
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu received a copy of the book ‘History of Lithuania’ in Hindi. He expressed his appreciation for the publication- Comparative Dictionary of 108 Common Lithuanian and Sanskrit words.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
The Lithuanian President and the Indian Vice President witnessed the signing of two agreements on Agriculture and Allied sectors and Cultural Exchange Program from 2019-21.
At Kaunas Town Hall, Lithuania
i. At Kaunas Town Hall in Lithuania, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was received by Mayor of Kaunas City, Mr. Visvaldas Matijosaitis. Historical Town Hall in Kaunas is often referred to as the White Swan.
ii. He attended a photo exhibition at the Kaunas Town Hall and also addressed the gathering.
iii. He visited the Santaka Valley of Kaunas University of Technology at Kaunas.
Bilateral talks with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda
i. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu held talks with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and discussed important aspects of bilateral relationship as well as global and regional issues of common interest.
ii. He also briefed the Lithuanian President on the recent decision of the Indian Government to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution that conferred special status upon Jammu and Kashmir.
iii. He stressed the need of collective action from all countries to tackle terrorism and also to isolate those nations who aid and abet terror
Visit to Latvia (August 19-20, 2019)
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was received by Mr. Andris Teikmanis, Head of Chancery of the President of Latvia, Ms.Monika Kapil Mohta, Ambassador of India to Sweden & Latvia, Mr. Artis Bertulis, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to India & others in Riga, Latvia.
Addresses
i. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu addressed the Indian community in Latvia. He stressed that India is committed to bolstering its bilateral and diplomatic relations with Latvia in all segments including academics, culture, investment, and business.
ii. India and Latvia can become important partners as the “world economy progresses towards the 4th Industrial Revolution.
iii. He invited the diaspora youth to connect with India through programs like ‘Know India’.
India-Latvia Business Forum 2019
He addressed the India-Latvia Business Forum 2019 in Riga, Latvia. It was organised by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) and other agencies.
Tributes/Visits/Inaugurations
i. Vice president paid tributes to the heroes of Latvia’s struggle for independence by laying a wreath on the Freedom Monument in Riga. He was accompanied by the President of Latvia, Mr. Egils Levits
ii. He visited the National History Museum in Riga, Latvia.
iii. He unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Latvia’s prestigious National Library.
Bilateral talks
i. Vice president held bilateral talks with the prime minister of Latvia, Mr. Krisjanis Karins to boost trade and investment cooperation.
ii. He held bilateral talks with the President of Latvia, Mr. Egils Levits. They committed to take the relations between both the countries to a higher level with the focus on culture, education and economic partnership.
iii. He held a meeting with Ms Inese Libina-Egnere, Acting Speaker of the Parliament of Latvia.
Visit to Estonia (August 20-21, 2019)
Vice President was received by Ms.Vani Rao, Ambassador of India to Finland and Estonia, Ms. Katrin Kivi, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to India and Mr. Lauri Bambus, Chief of State Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others in Tallinn, Estonia.
Guard of Honour
He was welcomed by Ms. Kersti Kaljulaid, President of the Republic of Estonia at the Kadriorg (Presidential Palace) in Tallinn. He also received the guard of honour.
Invitation
Vice President invited the Estonian government to participate actively in the forthcoming India-Europe 29 Business Forum 2019 to be held on 20-21 November, 2019 in New Delhi which is a focussed event for strengthening cooperation between India & the 29 countries of Europe.
India-Estonia Business Forum 2019
He addressed the India-Estonia Business Forum 2019 in Tallinn, Estonia. The bilateral trade between India & Estonia is growing and stands at $172 million at present.
Addresses/Tributes
i. He addressed the members of the Indian Community of Estonia in Tallinn.
ii. He paid tributes to the champions of the Estonian Struggle for Independence at the Vabaduse väljak (Vabaduse Square) in Tallinn, Estonia.
3 MoUs signed
Both countries exchanged MoUs on cooperation in the field of e-governance and emerging digital technologies and cooperation in the area of CyberSecurity. It was signed between Estonian Information System Authority (RIA) and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Other two accords are:
- Exemption of diplomatic passports from the visa requirement with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Cooperation memorandum on e-governance with the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
Bilateral talks
i. Vice President held bilateral talks with Ms. Kersti Kaljulaid, President of the Republic of Estonia. They agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and commerce, especially IT, e-governance, cyber security, innovation and education.
ii. He held a meeting with Mr. Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia at Stenbock House in Tallinn.
iii. He held a meeting with Mr. Henn Polluaas, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament) of the Republic of Estonia, in Tallinn.
About Lithuania:
♦ Capital: Vilnius
♦ Currency: Euro
About Latvia:
♦ Capital: Riga
♦ Currency: Euro
About Estonia:
♦ Capital: Tallinn
♦ Currency: Euro