September 18, 2019
The visit comes as the Government of India has been looking to boost relations with European countries to generate future opportunities pertaining to trade and investment as well as technological innovation
India’s transformative growth and Iceland’s technology and know-how can add immense value to each other. There is scope of tie-up spanning marine economy, healthcare, tourism, new-gen technology among others
Switzerland’s technology and India’s human capital offer strong opportunities in innovation. President Kovind invited Swiss participation in Make in India, Smart Cities, Digital India, Skill India, among other programmes
India’s growth and Slovenia’s technology and manufacturing capacity complement each other. There are immense possibilities of cooperation in high technology, especially clean technology, robotics and artificial intelligence
President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, paid state visits to Iceland, Switzerland and Slovenia over September 9-17 as part of the Indian Government’s efforts to strengthen the nation’s global outreach. The trip, marking many firsts, further cemented India’s bilateral ties with the nations as well as India’s multilateral engagement in the European region. The visit comes as the Government has been looking to boost relations with European states to create future opportunities pertaining to mutual investment as well as technological innovation. Owing to historical linkages, India has been among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the European Economic Community. Over the years, this relationship has developed into partnership across political and economic spheres, enhancing trade and investment, and bringing people and cultures together. Going ahead, India and European nations look forward to cooperating in a range of issues, including clean energy, trade and investments, Internet Governance, 5G communications, skill development, among others.
President Kovind reached Reykjavik, Iceland on September 9 in the first leg of his trip, following which he was received by Gudni Johannesson, the President of Iceland, at the Bessastadir Presidential Residence. During the subsequent discussion with President Johannesson, President Kovind expressed his appreciation for Iceland’s initiatives in tackling climate change and managing the health of oceans. He assured India’s steadfast support on both these counts. President Kovind, who was accompanied by senior government officials, led delegation-level talks between the two sides. Both sides discussed ways and means to expand trade, investment, technology and innovation collaborations. With India having set a target to become a US$5 trillion economy by 2025, India’s transformative growth and Iceland’s technology and know-how can add immense value to each other. There is scope of tie-up spanning marine economy, healthcare, tourism, new-gen technology among others. During this stay, President Kovind addressed the India-Iceland Business Forum, as well as the local Indian community.
President Kovind reached Switzerland on September 11 on the second leg of his trip. The next day the President visited University of Berne where he addressed students, faculty as well as members of the diplomatic corps. The topic of his address was “India – Switzerland new age partnership: connecting Alps with Himalayas.” During his stay, President Kovind along with Ueli Maurer, the President of the Swiss Confederation, addressed the Federal Council of Switzerland in Berne, the highest executive authority in Switzerland. The President also led delegation level talks with his counterpart, witnessed the signing of agreements, and addressed the India-Switzerland Business CEOs Forum. Switzerland’s high-end technology and India’s world class human capital offer unparalleled opportunities in innovation and income generation. President Kovind invited Swiss participation in Make in India, Smart Cities, Digital India, Clean India, Startup India and Skill India programmes. There’s also scope of partnership in water and energy conservation, infrastructure development, agri technology, among others.
President Kovind reached Ljubljana, Slovenia on September 15 in the final leg of his visit. This marked the first ever presidential visit from India to Slovenia. He was received by President Borut Pahor of Slovenia after which the two Presidents paid tributes at the Victims of All Wars. During the subsequent one-to-one discussion with President Pahor, the President discussed possible collaboration between the two nations on a wide range of issues. Subsequently, the President led delegation-level talks between the two sides. India-Slovenia bilateral trade has been picking up with Indian and Slovenian companies finding new opportunities to do business together. The President said that India’s growth and Slovenia’s technology and manufacturing capacity complement each other. There are immense possibilities of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of high technology, especially clean technology, robotics and artificial intelligence. During the trip, India and Slovenia signed seven agreements related to investment, sports, culture, river rejuvenation, science and technology and standards.