PM Modi Calls for India-Europe Partnership

Addressing the European CEO Roundtable organized by Volvo Group in Gothenburg, Prime Minister Modi called for partnership between India and Europe, emphasizing that in today’s global uncertainty and supply chain pressure, both can work together to be strong pillars of stability, sustainability and shared prosperity.

“Today, India has the third largest startup ecosystem in the world. Our startups are creating global solutions in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Space, Drones and Mobility. In today’s world full of uncertainty, where supply chains are under pressure, technological competition is intensifying and both energy security and climate action face challenges, India and Europe can join forces to become strong pillars of stability, sustainability and shared prosperity. In this spirit, I invite you all to join India’s journey of development,” he said.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that today’s relations between India and Europe have reached a “turning point” where a strategic and ambitious agenda is being set at the government level. He further emphasized that both sides endeavour to implement the India-EU Free Trade Agreement quickly, adding that the Security and Defense Partnership, as well as the Mobility Agreement, have given a new direction to the cooperation of both sides.

The Prime Minister said, “Today, relations between India and Europe are at a new turning point. We have set an ambitious and strategic agenda at the government level. A consensus has been reached on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement… We are trying to implement it as soon as possible. The Security and Defense Partnership and Mobility Agreement have also given a new direction to our cooperation.”

Underlining India’s basic motto, “Reform, Realize and Transform”, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the country’s youth, expanding middle class and infrastructure expansion have given new impetus to the country’s growth.

“I have come today to invite you to work with India. As the fastest growing major economy, India today continues to move forward with newfound confidence… Our young population, expanding middle class and infrastructure expansion are giving new impetus to India’s growth. India has followed the core mantra of ‘Reform, Realize and Transform’ for the past 12 years and this reform express, driven by the political will of the government, is in full swing,” Prime Minister Modi said.

The European CEO roundtable hosted by Volvo Group was attended by Prime Minister Modi, as well as Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, senior European industry leaders and representatives of leading European and Indian companies.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Sweden’s prestigious “Royal Order of the Pole Star Commander Grand Cross”, the highest honor bestowed on a foreign head of government by the Scandinavian country. This extraordinary award was presented during the Prime Minister’s visit to Sweden and is the 31st international award received by the Prime Minister of India from a foreign country.

Prime Minister Modi is currently in Sweden, the third leg of his five-country tour. He will then travel to Norway on May 18.