External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj left for a seven-day Europe tour on 17th June, 2018. She will visit Italy, France, Luxembourg and Belgium during the next week. It is being said that the tour is aimed at deepening India’s strategic engagement and trade ties with the four European countries reported HT.
The Highlights
Swaraj is expected to meet the top leaders of the European Union in Brussels. There is likely to be debate and deliberation on the long pending EU-India free trade pact.
In a report by HT, the Ministry of External Affairs, said that the visit will provide an opportunity to hold in-depth discussions with the political leadership on a wide range of global issues. It will also help advance India’s growing strategic engagement with the European Union.
The First Leg of the tour
Swaraj will first travel to Italy. This is going to be the first major political exchange between India and Italy after Giuseppe Conte has taken charge as the Prime Minister. Swaraj is also expected to meet the External Affairs Minister of Italy, Enzo Moavero Milanesi.
She will then travel to France and spend two days. This visit is important as the two countries are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership.
Like in Italy she will meet her counterpart in Paris too. Jean-Yves Le Drian and Swaraj will sit together to review bilateral relations.
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The 66-year-old minister will be in Luxembourg from June 19-20. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian external affairs minister to that country.
Swaraj is expected to meet the Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri Albert Gabriel Félix Marie Guillaume and Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. She will also interact with the people from the Indian community
The last leg of the tour
The Belgium visit will be from June 20-23. She will be meeting deputy PM and minister of foreign affairs of Belgium Didier Reynders. Swaraj will also meet President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani.
Sushma Swaraj will also review the entire range of India-EU relations with Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The MEA said that she will deliver a keynote speech at the high-level event ‘Climate, Peace and Security: Time for Action. She is also going to lead the International Yoga Day celebrations at the European Parliament and will interact with the Indian community too.
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Kriti Dwivedi is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv
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