PM Narendra Modi’s foreign visits to Portugal, Netherlands, US – Overview

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official visit to Portugal, US and the Netherlands from 24^th to 27^th June 2017.

• PM Modi visited Portugal on June 24, 2017 and held talks with his Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa. PM Modi became first Indian Prime Minister to conduct a bilateral visit to Portugal.
• On 25^th and 26^th June 2017, PM Modi visited Washington D.C., US. During his stay in US, he held talks with US President Donald Trump on regional security situation and ways to enhance cooperation in bilateral areas of strategic importance. He also attended a community event as well as a meeting with the business leaders.
• On June 27, 2017, PM Modi visited the Netherlands and met Prime Minister Mark Rutte. India and the Netherlands are celebrating 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year and therefore, the trip was more significant.

PM Modi Visit to Portugal

India and Portugal Sign 11 Pacts

During PM Modis’ visit to Portugal, India and Portugal signed 11 pacts for cooperation in various areas including cooperation in outer space, double taxation avoidance, nano technology, improving cultural ties, youth and sports, higher education, scientific research, and setting up of a Portugal-India Business Hub and an Indian Chamber of Commerce in Portugal.

Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Costa launch unique Start-up portal

On June 24, 2017, Indian Prime Minister Modi and Portugal Prime Minister Costa launched a unique startup Portal – the India-Portugal International StartUp Hub (IPISH) – in Lisbon.

About India-Portugal International StartUp Hub (IPISH):

• This platform has been initiated by Startup India and supported by Commerce & Industry Ministry and Startup Portugal to create a mutually supportive entrepreneurial partnership.
• IPISH hosts a range of tools and will provide information on the start-up hotspots of Bangalore, Delhi and Lisbon; and on associated subjects, such as policy, taxation, and visa options.
• IPISH is expected to help in mutual capacity building, and enable connections between start-ups, investors, and incubators from relevant sectors.
• It is also expected to establish a network of honorary ambassadors based in India and Portugal to guide start-ups from both countries.

India, Portugal Agree On 4 Million Euro Fund To Boost Research

On June 24, 2017, India and Portugal announced a four million Euros joint fund to bolster research in science and technology.

• While addressing the media, PM Modi mentioned that India is looking forward to engaging with Portugal in the Atlantic International Research Centre, both in the Space and Ocean Science fields.
• These pacts are expected to promote India’s ties with Portugal towards the establishment of a unique centre on the Azores Archipelago – the Atlantic International Research Centre, which will act as an innovation hub for trans-atlantic and north-south cooperation.
• The goal of the Centre is to provide a shared environment to foster new climate, earth, space and marine research.

Quick Facts about Portugal:

• Capital: Lisbon
• Currency: Euro
• Current Prime Minister: Antonio Costa

PM Modi Visit to USA

India, US agree to strengthen ties to ensure peace in Afghan

On June 26, 2017, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump agreed to continue strengthening coordination for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan as they expressed concern over rising instability in the war-torn country caused by terrorism.

• Donlad Trump Trump thanked the Indian people for their contributions to the effort in Afghanistan.
• PM Modi said the rising instability in Afghanistan due to terrorism is a cause of mutual concern for both India and the US.
• PM Modi added that India and the US have played a crucial role in the redevelopment of Afghanistan and its security

India, US joint statement: Prosperity through partnership

Marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and the United States, the leaders resolved to expand and deepen the strategic partnership between the countries and advance common objectives. Following are the highlights of Joint Statement issued by India and US during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to US. The Joint Statement has been titled “Prosperity Through Partnership”.

Highlights of India, US Joint Statement:

• Both leaders agreed that a close partnership between the United States and India is necessary to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.
• In accord with India’s Think West policy, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi resolved to increase cooperation, enhance diplomatic consultations, and increase tangible collaboration with partners in the Middle East.
• The leaders strongly condemned continued provocations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), emphasizing that its destabilizing pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile programs poses a grave threat to regional security and global peace.
• India and the United States will fight together against terrorism which is a grave challenge to humanity. Both leaders committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups including Al-Qa’ida, ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, D-Company, and their affiliates.
• President Trump and Prime Minister Modi pledged to deepen defense and security cooperation, building on the United States’ recognition of India as a Major Defense Partner.
• The leaders committed that the United States and India should intensify their economic cooperation to make their nations stronger and their citizens more prosperous.
• Both leaders affirmed the continued importance of their Strategic Energy Partnership and of leveraging new opportunities to elevate cooperation to enhance global energy security.

Quick Facts about US:

• Capital: Washington D.C.
• Currency: US Dollar
• Current President: Donald Trump

PM Modi Visit to Netherlands 

On June 27, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official visit to the Netherlands and held talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

• The Netherlands has backed India’s early entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and other multilateral export control regimes and supported the India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
• Recalling that the EU-India Strategic Partnership was launched in 2004 during the Dutch Presidency of the EU, both leaders expressed the hope for an early resumption of negotiations leading to the conclusion of the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement between India and the EU.
• As per a joint communiqué issued after a meeting between the two leaders, both leaders resolved to continue their efforts to strengthen global non-proliferation objectives.
• Prime Minister Modi thanked the Netherlands for its role in India’s accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime in June 2016.
• Prime Minister Modi invited the Netherlands to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• With 20% of India’s exports to Europe entering through the Netherlands, the Prime Ministers discussed the role of the Netherlands as India’s ‘Gateway to Europe’

India and Netherlands sign 3 Agreements

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands on June 27, 2017, India and Netherlands signed following three agreements:

1. MoU on water cooperation
2. MoU on Cultural Cooperation
3. Agreement on Amending Social Security Arrangement

Referring to joint water technology initiative, Dutch Indian Water Alliance for Leadership Initiative (DIWALI), PM Modi said that water is a prime sector for cooperation between the two countries.

• Focusing on trade, technology and investment, PM Modi interacted with CEOs of major Dutch companies after holding bilateral talks with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte.
• PM Modi invited Dutch companies to invest in India, by referring to India as a “land of opportunities” with over 7% growth rate and 1.25 billion population of which 800 million people are below 35 years.
• During the bilateral talks, Modi and the Dutch PM reaffirmed their commitment to climate change accord and strengthen cooperation in developing renewable energy.

Quick Facts about Netherlands:

• Capital: Amsterdam
• Currency: Euro
• Current Prime Minister: Mark Rutte