Modi’s trips and their developmental agenda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently came back from his official visit to the UAE, becoming the first Indian PM to visit the region in 34 years. As has been the case most of the times during his international trips, he addressed a packed house of Indian nationals at the Dubai Cricket Club and even spoke a few lines in Malayalam.
Ever since he took up office in May 2014, PM Modi has been travelling extensively. Through state visits, summits and a state funeral, Modi has travelled to 27 countries, across five continents. His travels have sparked criticism in the country with many stating that his visits abroad are far exceeding his time spent tackling issues in India, and questioning the expenses incurred for the travels. But, he has also taken the initiative to foster diplomatic relations, especially with countries which Indian leaders had not visited for decades.
Here is a look at what he has been able to achieve duringhis international visits this year.
Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka (March, 2015):
Modi’s visit to SriLanka was the first standalone bilateral visit by any Indian PM to the country since 1987. There, he inaugurated the reconstructed Northern Province RailwayLine and emphasised India’s support for a united Sri Lanka. He also announced that New Delhi will provide a fresh Lineof Credit of up to $318 million for the railways sector in Lanka. He struck a chord with the Tamil minorities when he visited Jaffna and stressed the need to go beyond the Thirteenth Amendment for the political empowerment of the Tamil minority. In Colombo, however, only minor agreements, which had already been in the pipeline, were signed – four MoUs on visa exemption for official passport holders, customs cooperation, youth exchanges and education, and the construction of a university auditorium.
France, Germany and Canada (April 2015):
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently came back from his official visit to the UAE, becoming the first Indian PM to visit the region in 34 years. As has been the case most of the times during his international trips, he addressed a packed house of Indian nationals at the Dubai Cricket Club and even spoke a few lines in Malayalam.
Ever since he took up office in May 2014, PM Modi has been travelling extensively. Through state visits, summits and a state funeral, Modi has travelled to 27 countries, across five continents. His travels have sparked criticism in the country with many stating that his visits abroad are far exceeding his time spent tackling issues in India, and questioning the expenses incurred for the travels. But, he has also taken the initiative to foster diplomatic relations, especially with countries which Indian leaders had not visited for decades.
Here is a look at what he has been able to achieve duringhis international visits this year.
Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka (March, 2015):
Modi started off the year with a three country visit to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka as part of his ‘Indian Ocean Outreach’ program. During his visit to Seychelles, where he met President of the country, James Alexis Michel, the two countries inked four agreements on enhancing maritime security, cooperation in hydrology, renewable energy, infrastructural and sale of navigational charts and electronic navigational charts.
In Mauritius, Modi was the chief guest at the Mauritian NationalDay and he addressed the Mauritius National Assembly. India also offered a $500 million concessionalline of credit for key infrastructural projects. Mauritius reciprocated by offering cooperation for information exchange on taxation. The two countries also signed five pacts which included a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of ‘Ocean Economy’ which will provide an extensive framework for cooperation for sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region.
In Mauritius, Modi was the chief guest at the Mauritian NationalDay and he addressed the Mauritius National Assembly. India also offered a $500 million concessionalline of credit for key infrastructural projects. Mauritius reciprocated by offering cooperation for information exchange on taxation. The two countries also signed five pacts which included a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of ‘Ocean Economy’ which will provide an extensive framework for cooperation for sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region.
Modi’s visit to SriLanka was the first standalone bilateral visit by any Indian PM to the country since 1987. There, he inaugurated the reconstructed Northern Province RailwayLine and emphasised India’s support for a united Sri Lanka. He also announced that New Delhi will provide a fresh Lineof Credit of up to $318 million for the railways sector in Lanka. He struck a chord with the Tamil minorities when he visited Jaffna and stressed the need to go beyond the Thirteenth Amendment for the political empowerment of the Tamil minority. In Colombo, however, only minor agreements, which had already been in the pipeline, were signed – four MoUs on visa exemption for official passport holders, customs cooperation, youth exchanges and education, and the construction of a university auditorium.
France, Germany and Canada (April 2015):
Modi’s three nation trip, which consisted of the two major European economies and Canada, focused on attracting investments and pitching the ‘Make in India’ campaign. In France, India signed a deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter aircrafts and another deal on the Jaitapur atomic energy plant located in the Konkan.Work on the nuclear power plant is likely to begin in two years. India will be also concluding the purchase of Rafale jets in 10 days. On his part, French President Francois Hollande said that France would invest $ 2 billion to develop three smart cities in India.
Addressing NRIs in Berlin, Modi informed them that India has a huge potential to become a manufacturing hub and asked them to act as a bridge between the two nations. He also pitched to foreign investors during the Hannover Fair and promised themthat he would make required corrections to make India a global manufacturing hub.
Through his visit to Canada, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to pay the country a bilateral visit, in 42 years. A five year $ 280 million deal was signed with Cameco, Canada’s biggest producer of Uranium to supply the chemical element to fuel Indian nuclear reactors. India also signed a MoU with Canada in the areao f cyber security and for technical cooperation in the railways. Another MoU was signed with the ministry of Civil Aviation and Transport to establish a joint working group for cooperation in civilaviation.
South Korea, Mongolia and China (May 2015):
Addressing NRIs in Berlin, Modi informed them that India has a huge potential to become a manufacturing hub and asked them to act as a bridge between the two nations. He also pitched to foreign investors during the Hannover Fair and promised themthat he would make required corrections to make India a global manufacturing hub.
Through his visit to Canada, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to pay the country a bilateral visit, in 42 years. A five year $ 280 million deal was signed with Cameco, Canada’s biggest producer of Uranium to supply the chemical element to fuel Indian nuclear reactors. India also signed a MoU with Canada in the areao f cyber security and for technical cooperation in the railways. Another MoU was signed with the ministry of Civil Aviation and Transport to establish a joint working group for cooperation in civilaviation.
South Korea, Mongolia and China (May 2015):
While China was the most important part of this trip, the South Korea leg saw the PM inking seven agreements with thecountry, including avoidance of double taxation, and formalising consultations between the National Security Councils of both countries to boost bilateral ties. MOUs were also signed in the fields of culture, transportation, power and trade.
Much wasanticipated on Modi’s trip to China. Border issues and a growing trade gap were key concerns during the visit. Though no breakthrough was made on either ofthese fronts, Modi did not shy away from speaking about the issues which havebeen affecting relations between the two countries. India and China also signed 21 agreements worth $22 billion in areas such as solar energy, films,telecom and steel. The two nations have also decided to set up a hotline between the military headquarters of both countries and increase meetings between militaries of both side to build up on the trust. A task force has also been set up to look at ways of reducing the trade deficit.
Mongolia has beentraditionally ignored by most international leaders and Modi became the first Indian leader ever to visit the country. He announced that India will extend a $1 billion credit line to the country. 14 agreements were also signed in the fields such as policing and surveillance, air services, renewable energy, cyber security, etc.
Bangladesh (June 2015):
Much wasanticipated on Modi’s trip to China. Border issues and a growing trade gap were key concerns during the visit. Though no breakthrough was made on either ofthese fronts, Modi did not shy away from speaking about the issues which havebeen affecting relations between the two countries. India and China also signed 21 agreements worth $22 billion in areas such as solar energy, films,telecom and steel. The two nations have also decided to set up a hotline between the military headquarters of both countries and increase meetings between militaries of both side to build up on the trust. A task force has also been set up to look at ways of reducing the trade deficit.
Mongolia has beentraditionally ignored by most international leaders and Modi became the first Indian leader ever to visit the country. He announced that India will extend a $1 billion credit line to the country. 14 agreements were also signed in the fields such as policing and surveillance, air services, renewable energy, cyber security, etc.
Bangladesh (June 2015):
Modi’s visit to Bangladesh was historic forthe resolution of the 41 year old land border dispute between the two countries.The two sides exchanged documents regarding the Land Boundary Agreement and territories were swapped on either sides. This led the way to signing of pactsin key areas such as regional connectivity, partnership in power sector, setting up of a special economic zone in Bangladesh and reducing the huge trade deficit which amounts to $6 billion. Modi also announced a second line of credit of $ 2 billion to Bangladesh.
Central Asia and Russia (July 2015):
Central Asia and Russia (July 2015):
As part of his visit to the five countries in Central Asia and Russia, helped India focus on an area which Modi had lefttill now – that of Eurasia. Modi attended the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) summits in Ufa in Russia and was on a three day visit to the country. Modiheld a meeting with Pakistani PM, Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the summit and much had been anticipated from the meetings. However, with the recent cancellation of the NSA level talks, Congress has blamed Modi’s government for the failure in diplomacy.
During his visit toCentral Asia visit, Modi travelled to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan,Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. This visit was significant in the fact that for thefirst time, India showed that it was interested in extending cooperation inthis region.
UAE:
During his visit toCentral Asia visit, Modi travelled to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan,Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. This visit was significant in the fact that for thefirst time, India showed that it was interested in extending cooperation inthis region.
UAE:
This was the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the UAE after agap of 34 years - the last PM to visit the country was Indira Gandhi. In his speech to the Indian fraternity, PM Modi stated that leaders in the UAE have promised to invest $75 billion in India through the establishment of the UAE-India Investment Fund which will support the building of ports, roads, airports and industrial corridors. The two nations have also agreed to strengthen defence ties and increase cooperation in counter-terrorism operations. India and UAE have also agreed to boost trade by 60 per cent over the next five years.In a significant move the UAE also stated that they will back India in the bid for a permanentseat for the UN Security Council.
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Source:Yahoofinance.com
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