Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon to all of you. Very nice to see a large turnout here on a Sunday afternoon. As you know, we meet here on a very special media briefing on the eve of Prime Minister's visit to three European countries. And it is my distinct privilege and pleasure to say that we have actually, the new Foreign Secretary Shri Vinay Kwatra, who has just assumed charge and I must say very kind of Sir for you to come here and give us a sense of the visit and explain to us the importance of this Prime Minister's engagement. We also have on the dias with Secretary (West) Shri Sanjay Verma, as well as Neeta Bhushan, the Additional Secretary looking after Central Europe division in the Ministry. I would request Foreign Secretary Sir to make some initial opening remarks, followed by which we will try to take a few questions. Please do note that he's just taken over and we will not be able to accommodate too many questions today. Sir, the floor is yours.
Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Thank you very much. And very good afternoon to friends from the media for coming here this afternoon in such good numbers, even though it's Sunday. As you're all aware, Prime Minister will be leaving on a visit to Europe from tomorrow. He will be traveling to Germany, Denmark and France for bilateral as well as multilateral engagements. Prime Minister's three-day, three nation tour has intense schedule with substantial and comprehensive agenda, including wide ranging interaction with the political leadership of these countries, Indian diaspora and the top industrialists and CEOs.
Let me first begin with Germany, which is the first destination. As you all know, Germany also holds the presidency of G7. On May 2nd, tomorrow, Prime Minister will co-host with German Chancellor, Excellency Olaf Scholz, the sixth edition of India-Germany intergovernmental consultations (IGC) in Berlin. This will be Prime Minister's first meeting with Chancellor Scholz after he assumed office last December. You would recall that Prime Minister's first telephone call with a foreign leader in 2022 was with Chancellor Scholz. The meeting between the two leaders would provide an excellent platform not only to strengthen the existing, multifaceted bilateral partnership, but would also shape and develop an ambitious agenda of cooperation for the months and years ahead between India and Germany, including in the field of development partnership, green agenda, Trade Investment linkages, and the overall strategic partnership.
Let me briefly touch upon the intergovernmental consultation mechanism whose sixth meeting would be held tomorrow. This is a unique mechanism which brings together several ministers and officials from both sides to engage in bilateral discussions culminating in a plenary session which is chaired by the two leaders to review, take stock and assess the cooperation between the two countries across a range of area as also to identify fresh areas of partnership. In the plenary session of the IGC the focus on cooperation is along three strands principally. First, foreign affairs and security. Two, economic financial policy, scientific and social exchange. Three, climate, environment, sustainable development and energy. During the IGC, the Prime Minister would be assisted by senior ministers from Government of India, including Finance Minister, External Affairs Minister and Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences. I must mention here that these ministers would also have a separate and substantive program of their own besides assisting the Honourable Prime Minister in the deliberations of the IGC. IGC would then be followed by a high level roundtable where Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Scholz would interact with the top CEOs of both the countries. Prime Minister will subsequently interact and address the Indian diaspora in Germany. As you know, last couple of years of COVID has been a constraint on international travel so this would be an exciting opportunity for Prime Minister to interact with the Indian diaspora.
In the evening, Chancellor Scholz will host a private dinner for Prime Minister. On May 3, after concluding the German leg, Prime Minister will travel to Copenhagen on an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister of Denmark, Miss Mette Frederiksen. This will be Prime Minister's first visit to Denmark but his third summit level interaction with the Danish Prime Minister and the discussions will focus on bilateral issues, as well as issues of regional and global interest. Prime Ministers of India and Denmark would later also interact with the business leaders of both countries under the auspices of India-Denmark Business Forum. Just prior to that point, which I should have mentioned, Prime Minister would also call on Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II, of Denmark, who would also host an official dinner for the Prime Minister. Like in Germany, in Denmark too the Prime Minister will interact with the members of the Indian diaspora during a community event. The substance of the partnership with Denmark has many significant pillars, I should say. That includes Green Strategic Partnership, which is a model of cooperation that focuses on renewable energy, sustainability and green growth. There is also a joint action plan for five years, essentially focusing on the specifics of this partnership. And besides the ongoing cooperation in the field of wind energy, water management, circular economy, shipping and the smart cities. The visit will be an opportunity for us to also shape new elements of partnership in the field of skill development, shipping, agri technology and mobility.
On May 4, Prime Minister will participate in the 2nd India-Nordic summit with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway. But prior to the start of the summit, Prime Minister will also hold bilateral summit meetings with the leaders of Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland. Broadly speaking, while the specifics of discussions and the outcomes with regard to the Nordic countries and in the summit would emerge later, as we continue with the visit, broadly speaking, India's partnership with Nordic countries is structured around four to five clusters. And these clusters if I were to list them would include: 1. Green partnership, 2. The entire space of digital and innovation economy, 3. Economy, Trade and Investment linkages, 4. Sustainable development, and 5. The partnership relating to the Arctic region. The Nordic summit will provide an opportunity to take forward the agenda in these clusters forward. I must mention here that India is the only country apart from the United States with whom the Nordic countries have summit level meetings, which I just mentioned.
On his way back from Copenhagen on May 4, Prime Minister will make a brief stopover in Paris, France. France, as you know, is an important partner of India and Europe, and also holds currently the EU presidency. As you also know that President Macron has just won a second term and the India-France friendship and strategic partnership has seen a great momentum, thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Macron as also their close friendship. Prime Minister's visit to France will provide an opportunity for us to carry forward the high level engagement between the two countries, post the French presidential elections as you know both countries have continuously nurtured and delivered on the ambition of their strategic partnership, particularly in the areas like clean energy environment, People to People ties, space, digital, manufacturing in high end sectors, etc. In Paris, Prime Minister and President Macron will hold extensive talks across various formats. Prime Minister will depart France on the same night on the 4th of May.
To sum up very briefly, as you would have observed also, Prime Minister's first visit in 2022 factors an ambitious and substantial agenda packed into an intense schedule. And we'll be happy to share the specific details of discussions and the outcomes during Prime Minister's engagement in these three countries as the visit unfold. Let me once again take this opportunity to thank each one of you for coming out in strong numbers here this afternoon to attend this special media briefing prior to Prime Minister's departure early tomorrow morning. Thank you again so much.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you very much, sir, thank you for that comprehensive presentation. We'll take a few questions now. Before that some ground rules, please introduce yourself and your organization. And we'll try to take one question per person. So let me start, I just saw your hands, Yashee, please.
Yashee: Good afternoon and congratulations on being the new FS.
Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Thank you.
Yashee: Look forward to see more of you. I’m Yashee from The New Indian Express. Sir, I have a question which is not related to your upcoming visit but Nepal.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Pause, pause, this is not the opportunity. This is for the special briefing for Prime Minister’s visit. We will address other questions later on. So if you have specific to this, I'll take that.
Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Thanks for the congratulations anyway.
Manish Kumar Jha: Good afternoon Foreign Secretary and again congratulations on the first day. You work on Sundays is a great indication for our country. I’m Manish Kumar Jha. I’m editor from Business World foreign affairs and defence. I understand this Prime Minister visit focuses more on the economic and technological strength of our relation with EU and of course in the context of Germany. Germany, and on behalf of EU is also leading on something called Global Gateway, it's a big opportunity to embrace India's scale for infrastructure development. So what is our position on the Global Gateway?
Vineet Dikshit: Vineet Dikshit from NewsGate. Can we term this visit as what Dr. Jaishankar has said, find a solution for Ukraine crisis? Is he carrying a special message from Russia, from Ukraine to the Nordic countries, especially when Finland and Sweden are about to join NATO, much to the dislike of Russia.
Vijayalakshmi: Congratulations, Sir. you have joined and you're doing your first press conference. I'm Vijayalakshmi, India TV se hoon main, main yeh janna chahti hoon ki kafi mahatvapurna visit hai halanki unhonne ne bhi poochha Ukraine ko lekar ke kyon ki Europe Pradhanmantri ja rahe hain, to aise mein kya hum ummid kare ki uss vishay par bhi charcha hogi aur Bharat ka stand agar kuchh aap bata payen uss par? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) I'm Vijayalakshmi from India TV, I want to know that it is a very important visit, although they have also asked about Ukraine because the Prime Minister is visiting Europe, so in such a situation, can we expect that subject to be discussed as well and can you brief on India’s stand?
Sridhar: Sir, Sridhar here from Asian Age. My question is somewhat linked to what the others have asked, you know, the Nordic countries are feeling particularly threatened by Russia. So how important would Ukraine be as a subject of discussion with the Nordic Summit?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: May I interrupt here and say, if there are any other questions related to Ukraine, can I have it one shot instead of going back to that issue, anybody else on Ukraine? something different? Yeah, please go ahead.
Manas: Sir this is Manas from Press Trust of India, PTI. Sir, in the backdrop of what is happening in Ukraine, the energy security has become a very, very important issue. Actually, it has become part of the national security lexicon. So how do you see in fact, energy security discussed during Prime Minister's visit to the three countries particularly with President Macron as we have a very strong bilateral strategic cooperation with France including in the energy sector. Thank you so much.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sir I will hand over the floor to you for this round of questions.
Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Thank you very much. And thank you so much for your warm words of greetings and congratulations on my assignment. If I was to broadly structure the questions, which have been asked into two, I think there is one cluster of Ukraine related questions and how exactly in your question, you see it being positioned during the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister, second, there was one point, which was I think, from Mr. Manish Jha, which was with regard to the Global Gateway, the larger question of connectivity. And I think one thread which runs through all the questions so essentially relating to where is the visit positioned in terms of objectives and the outcomes? So, let me first refer to the last one, and then come to the other two, because I think what is important to take note of here is that the principal objective of the visit, the principal purpose of the visit is for India to continue to strengthen its multi-dimensional, multi-faceted partnerships with key countries of Europe. The visit to Germany, the visit to France, visit for the 2nd Nordic summit as also individual summit meeting with Nordic leaders is a very clear manifestation of our focus that our partnership is constructed, it builds on our existing strengths of the relationship, shapes agenda for the months and years ahead of a manner in which the countries with which we will be interfacing, this time, the Prime Minister will be meeting the leaders, shapes a forward looking, progressive strategic partnership of economic cooperation, development partnership, green agenda, etc., with these countries.
When Prime Minister interfaces with these leaders, naturally, the issues of regional and global importance would also figure in the discussions. But I must repeat and reiterate that the principal focus of the visits and discussions is to structure and strengthen bilateral partnership across a range of areas and of course exchange perspective on the Ukraine issues also. It would not be correct for me to comment on what each of the countries of Europe, how they look at Ukraine issue. But I think insofar as India's position on Ukraine is concerned, it has been amplified, made clear, enunciated in great detail in multiple fora. And I'll just single out few key elements of it. One, we've always maintained that there should be cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, and two, the path to the resolution goes through diplomacy and dialogue. And I think these three strands pretty much capture what we have to say in Ukraine and Vijayalakshmi ji aapke prashn ke uttar par main inhi teen cheezon ke baaren mein kahunga kyoki aapka prashn bhi Ukraine se sambandhit hai aur uske vishay main bhi inn teen cheezon ko maddenazar rakhna avashyak hai. Pratham ye ki yatra ke mukhya uddeshy jo hain woh ek samarik, sakaratmak, arthik, green agenda pe adharit ek sustainable agenda nirmit karna. Lekin jahan tak Ukraine ka prashn hain usmein mukhyatah hostilities ka ant tatha diplomacy, dialogue ke madhyam dvara samasya samadhan, woh hi Ukraine ka ek hamara jo position hain, jo ki kafi samay se sarkar baar baar aap sab ke samne ek na ek forum mein rakh rahi hai. Global gateway ka jo prashn tha Manish Jha ji ka. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Vijayalakshmi Ji, on the answer to your question, I will say about these three things because your question is also related to Ukraine and it is necessary to keep these three things in mind. The first is to create a sustainable agenda based on a strategic, positive, economic, green agenda. But as far as Ukraine is concerned, mainly it is the end of hostilities and solving the problem through diplomacy and dialogue which is our position on Ukraine, which for a long time the government has been putting it in one or the other forum in front of all of you again and again. The question of global gateway was raised by Manish Jha ji.
You're all very well familiar that India and EU have a very strong element of connectivity partnership. And this connectivity partnership structures across a range of areas, you could call it infrastructure connectivity, digital connectivity, financial connectivity, physical connectivity across a range of areas. Now, Global Gateway is a EU initiative and I think that is something on which EU would be far better place to elaborate on. But I think insofar as we look at it, I think all connectivity initiatives that essentially promote and bring together the countries of the region in a manner which promotes development partnership, which promotes development of connectivity related linkages between their economies would always be welcome, of course, within the overall space of Global Gateway, how individual connectivity projects get structured, between the EU countries and India would essentially be a derivative of terms and conditions on which those are shaped and developed. I think that's what I would say on how we look at Global Gateway. It will ultimately be a question of specific projects that emanate out of Global Gateway and connect well to the overall India-EU connectivity partnership also. Thank you.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you sir. Next round of questions.
Akhilesh Suman: Welcome sir. I’m Akhilesh Suman from Sansad TV. My question relates to cultural relations between India and Germany, people to people contact. I know, Germany for a long time, had a different Chancellor. And German is quite prevalent in Indian curriculum, Indian schools. Are you going to make any effort so that some Indian subjects, indology are promoted in Germany and some chairs in German university so that German people can also know about India in a better way than they are knowing now.
Meghna Dev: Sir, Meghna Dev from DD News. Sir, I wanted to Know about the business leaders that in Germany that both Prime Minister Modi and the German Chancellor will be meeting, is it some sector specific business leaders, CEOs that he's meeting? What are some renowned names out there?
Nivedita Mukherjee: Congratulations Sir for becoming FS. I am Nivedita from Swarajya. I wanted to know what are the new areas of business and the sectors that India will be exploring in terms of partnership and the agenda of the PM’s meeting with the CEOs.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: New areas, in particular, any area or any country specific or what do you want to know?
Nivedita Mukherjee: With Germany and with Denmark.
Speaker 1 : I’m from ARD German TV. I have two questions. First of all, does Mr Prime Minister Modi has any message to Chancellor Scholz regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict? And secondly, what's about the free trade deal with Europe? It's still pending and do you see any chance to get it?
Kamaljeet Sandhu: Hi, Sir this is Kamaljeet Sandhu from India Today. Congratulations to you Sir. I also want to ask a question whether any security related issues will be brought up with Germany in particular, Jaswinder Singh Multani who is Ludhiana blast accused, is there going to be any particular list that we're going to be sharing with them or discussing any security related matters which concerns India?
Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: I think I did miss out a question from the previous string of question from Mr. Manas relating to the energy security element. So let me just first respond to that. I think the entire question of energy security is very important and has always been a part of our discussions with pretty much every important partner, who works in this space and I think I would perhaps not be at the liberty to spell out the specifics of what that might constitute. But I think it is a given that energy security, the changing elements of energy security, its impact on developing countries, especially like India, the challenges in that space, the mitigation of those challenges, the solutions that we could find in addressing those challenges, naturally, these are some of the key elements of the entire universe of energy security. And I'm sure this would constitute one of the elements in the overall discussions but naturally, one single item would not define what the structure of those discussions would be. Coming to the questions of the second round if I'm just getting right, one was…
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sir, we had a query on cultural cooperation from Akhilesh Suman, on business leaders, Meghna wanted to know inside scoop on who's the people and Nivedita with new areas with Germany.
Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: On the cultural cooperation, I think the answer will naturally have to be affirmative, because I think this is an area of quite great promise between the two countries, a lot has already been done in this space, and lot more will continue to be done, whether it is in terms of establishment of India chairs in Germany, or in any other form or format in which it can be pursued. You know, with regard to the specific agenda for the business discussions, who would be the top CEOs who would be present? I think all I would say is that this visit would be an excellent opportunity for not just the Indian CEOs and the German CEOs and In the case of India-Danish CEO forum, the business CEOs from Denmark, to come together and share perspective on how the post COVID world presents us with new opportunities to work together. I think it will also be an opportunity for the CEOs to interface with the two leaders to see how the governments and the businesses can structure much deeper partnerships, new partnerships, partnerships in new domains, so as to speak. And, frankly, the entire intersection set of opportunities that the previous two years of COVID, and our experiences from those have offered to us. So, I think I would perhaps not be able to specifically tell you the details of the individual agenda items. But the idea here is to harvest, harness the complementarities of the two economies, and within the complementarities to economies look at specific domains in which they are precise capacity matches between what the countries in Europe, in this case Denmark and Germany have to offer and what India has to offer. As you know, there is already a large and substantial presence of the business companies, both from Germany and from the Nordic countries in India. And likewise, the Indian industry also interfaces very closely, very intensely across the entire range of sectors, whether it's manufacturing, whether it is the services area, whether it is the area of co design, co-development of products, solutions, platform-based app solutions, I think the digital innovation space is actually so seamless, you don't even know where it generates from and where it fructifies. So, I think all these in some form or another would naturally figure in the agenda of discussions between the two leaders and the CEOs. But as I said, at this stage, it may not be appropriate to list out the specific agenda items. I think on the Prime Minister's message to His Excellency Scholz on Ukraine, I have already enunciated as to how we look at things in Ukraine, and I'm sure this would be at some level the point of conversation between the two leaders, as it has been a point of conversation between Prime Minister Modi and the previous recent visitors from the EU, including UK Prime Minister of course, not in EU, it is UK, and also the EU President who was here recently, so I think at this stage, I would limit myself to that.
Let me look at the security relationship aspects with the Germany. I think the discussions on security or rather, I would say defence cooperation within that I'll include one element of security, are an important element of our discussions. A lot of these discussions are also process based, including the legal processes, but those will definitely get raised during the discussions and even maybe prior to the discussions, and we have been in constant touch with the relevant authorities on the other side, on this matter. Defence per se, is something they as I said which figures importantly in our priorities, but we are looking at it in the terms of co-development, co-designing, co-manufacturing, essentially, which links intrinsically to the concept of aatmanirbharta including in the defence space, when we interface with our foreign partners.
With respect to Free trade agreement, discussions have been going on with the EU, and it is understanding that there has been a considerable progress in the launch of these discussions going forward. And those discussions will continue so that the specific elements of those launch of discussions as also the negotiations can be agreed to and then brought in front of you as and when there is a clear decision on them.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you sir. Last couple of questions.
Nayanima: Welcome Sir this is Nayanima from The Print. I just wanted to understand in this visit, are we expecting PM to get an invitation for the G7 summit? Thank you.
Ranjana: Welcome Sir, this is Ranjana from UNI. So last time when the French Defence Minister had come, they had offered India more Rafales. So will that also be part of the discussion with the French President and also the Indo Pacific Forum that has held when the EAM went in February. Will there be any forward movement on India's participation in the Indo Pacific like India's participation with the EU in the Indo Pacific region?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sorry, could you repeat the last part, I didn't also get it. As you know, Europe has the Indo Pacific strategy what exactly did you have in the mind?
Ranjana: Indo Pacific Forum which the EAM attended in February, so will we see further movement on that? India's participation in that?
Neeraj: Sir, Neeraj News 18 India se, Pradhanmantri ke saath jo bhi mantri ja rahen hain wo Germany tak daure mein rahenge ya Denmark aur France bhi jayenge wo log ? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Sir Neeraj from News 18 India, whichever minister is going with the Prime Minister will be on a tour to Germany or will they also accompany to Denmark and France?
Sanjeev Trivedi: Welcome Sir, mera naam Sanjeev Trivedi hai, main News 24 television channel se hoon. Sir ek sawal samajh mein nahi aa raha hai ki kis tarah se rakha jaye lekin aap is baat ko samjhen ki abhi Boris Johnson sahab aayen aur iske baad Pradhanmantri ja rahe hain France, Germany. Teen bade desh Europe ke aur iske alava NORDIC country se mulakat. Ye sab ke sab jo desh hain ye hamara jo view point hai jo Ukraine par uss se itar in ka view point hai, ye Russia ke liye critical hain hum nahi hai. To kya diplomatic niceties hoti hain uss ke dayre mein ye jo Bharat ka paksh hain ki aap toh unse energy ke liye sambandh rakhte hai kayam aur hamein vahan se samjhane ki koshish karte hain ki hame critical hona chahiye. kya is baat ko bhi pradhanmantri rakhengen wahan par. (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Welcome Sir, my name is Sanjeev Trivedi, I am from news 24 television channel. Sir I do not understand how to put this question, but you understand that now Boris Johnson sahib came and after that the Prime Minister is going to France, Germany. Three big countries of Europe and in addition Nordic countries. All these countries that are there, there view point on Ukraine is different from ours. this is our view point, it is critical for Russia, ours is not. So what diplomatic niceties are in the scope of it which are on the side of India that you (Europe) are related to them (Russia) for energy and try to convince us from there that we should be critical, will the Prime Minister take up this issue there?
Speaker 2: Foreign Secretary you mentioned, so just to extend the question further, any specific collaboration in terms of advanced technology? Because we are looking for money we were looking for propulsion systems with Germany. So any specific talk in the whole context of defence, please?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sir before I hand over the floor, just a couple of comments. One I think, Nayanima you asked about G7. Your presumption is that there's no invitation, right? That's what you're starting with right? Either way on such events, you know, the standard line since Foreign Secretary is new. There will be the right opportunity in which you will hear me say a lot of things hopefully if the visit if and when it actually happens. And the other element which I just wrote , I will make a quick comment was on this Indo Pacific Forum part, I'm not even still sure what you meant, but I'll let foreign secretary pass that and on Sanjeev Ji. Aapne jo pucha, Ukraine par hum jo kar chuke the charcha to aapne phir se pucha to thik hai. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate translation) What you asked, on Ukraine we already discussed and you asked again, anyway).
Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Let me just take first on the Defence Partnership, because there were two linked questions to that. I think you all are aware that in the overall space of strategic partnership, and including in the field of defence, India and France, have a comprehensive and a very substantial partnership. But I think what is important to keep in mind is that the elements of these partnerships actually extend to those parts, which are also our key priorities, which I mentioned earlier on in response to a question, they essentially focus on co-designing, co-development, co-production, they are manufacturing in India. And I think it would not be correct to position them in terms of simply trade off one particular item or another. So I think that is the space when we talk of defence partnership with these countries, that's the space that we that will come forward and that is our priority. And that is how exactly we take it up with these countries as part of our thought processes. With regard to Jo aapka prashn tha ki Ukraine se sambandh mein ek jo hamara mat hai aur ek jo dusre deshon ka mat hai, us mat ko hum kis prakar se prabhavashali roop se prakat karte hain. Dekhiye jaisa maine aapse pehle bhi kaha jahan tak Ukraine ka sambandh hai Bharat ki jo position iss mein rahi hai woh spasht rahi hai. Pratham, ki hostilities ka cessation hona chahiye, dusra iska samadhan diplomacy aur dialogue ke dwara hona chahiye or mere khyal se yeh mat bahut hi spasht, bahut hi pratyaksh roop se hamare jo partners hain, european partners hain, antarrashtriya star pe jo baki hamare sahyogi hain un sabko purnatyah se spasht hai. Mujhe nahi lagta ki iske baare mein kisi prakar ka koi sankoch shuba hona chahiye aur jab bhi is vishay men varta hogi, jahan bhi is vishay men varta hogi mujhe vishvas hai ki hamare mat ki poornatah se spashtikaran na keval spashtikaran uska jo paripeksh hai aur uski jo mahatvata hai aur uske jo sakaratmak pahlu hain. Aap mat meh keval mat ki prastavana nahi, mat mein keval mat mein jo sakaratmak drishtikon hain uska bhi ujagar hona anivarya hai, woh bhi is prakar se kar raha hoon. Mere ko iss baarein mein koi shanka, shuba nahi hai ki jo hamare antarrashtriya star pe jo partners hai unko is baat ki samajh hain aur na keval samajh hai balki i think deep appreciation bhi sarkar ke paksh mein hain aur kya tha ? (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Your question was, how do we effectively express that, one, which is our opinion with regard to Ukraine and which is the opinion of other countries. Look, as I said to you earlier also, as far as Ukraine is concerned, India's position on it has been clear. The first has to be the cessation of the hostilities, the second is the solution through diplomacy and dialogue, and I think it is very clear, very directly, very clearly, that which our partners, the European partners, the rest of those who are our allies at the international level are completely clear about it. I don't think there should be any hesitation about it and whenever there is a discussion on this subject, wherever there will be a dialogue on this subject, I am sure that the complete explanation of our view is not only the perspective of the explanation which is there and the importance thereof and the positive aspects thereof, it is necessary to highlight the positive attitudes that are there. I have no doubt about this, that those who are our international partners have an understanding of this, they not only have an understanding of this, but I think deep appreciation is also in favour of the government.
Neeraj ji jaisa ki maine pehle bhi kaha apni prarambhik tippani mein ki international government consultations ka jo mechanisms hai usmen Pradhamantri ji ki sahayata ke liye hamare yahan se varisht mantrigan upasthit rahenge usmen mananiya vittamantri ji, mananiya arthamantri ji aur mantri science and technology kshetra ke bhi rahenge. unmein se mere liye is samay kehna mushkil hai ki Denmark ke delegation ka bhag kya kya hoga ? lekin hum ummid kar rahen hain ki usmein inter-governmental consultation ka jo format hain or jo structure hai uski sanrachana is prakar se hai ki baki mantrigan jo hai aur woh apne discussion apne counter part ke saath karte hain aur fir teen stands mein jo discussion hoti hai to use preliminary mein prastut kiya jata hai or preliminary ka jo nirdesh hain woh do netagan jo hain woh spashtroop mein milkar karte hain. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Neeraj Ji, as I said earlier, in my opening remarks, that in the mechanisms of international government consultations, senior ministers from here will be present to assist the Prime Minister, in which the Hon'ble Finance Minister, the Hon'ble Commerce Minister and the Minister from the field of Science and Technology will also be there. Out of them, it is difficult for me to say at this time who will be part of the Delegation to Denmark. But we are hoping that the format of inter-governmental consultation and the structure is such that the rest of the ministers who are there have their discussions with their counterpart and then the discussions which takes place in three stands is presented in its preliminary and as per the instructions of the preliminary the two leaders who are there take the final decision jointly.
See on Indo Pacific, as you know EU has Indo Pacific strategy, we have ourselves built a range of partnerships in the Indo Pacific area with several countries, which look to harness the opportunities that are available in this entire region (inaudible) economic partnership, climate change partnerships, capacity building partnership, human resource development partnerships. And there are multiple strands to it which come in, but I think ultimately, each country in the Indo Pacific as part of their Indo Pacific strategy, would look at it purely in terms of opportunities that they can work together on and also cooperation to mitigate the challenges that they faced together commonly in that space. Thank you.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you sir. Thank you for taking so much of time for this because I know there are a lot of questions still. Thank you also to Secretary (West) Shri Sanjay Verma, and to Additional Secretary Neeta Bhushan here. Thank you all for joining us today. Please keep in touch with our social media handles etc. We'll continue to bring your details of Prime Minister's visit over the next three, four days. Thank you. Good afternoon.