Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Madrid in Spain on Tuesday night on the second leg of his six-day four-nation tour of European countries. The prime minister's visit to Spain is aimed at enhancing bilateral economic engagement between the countries and also inviting more investment for India's transformation.
Modi will hold discussions aimed at boosting bilateral engagement between India and Spain, especially in the economic sphere. He will also look to enhance cooperation in issues of mutual concern, the most important being the fight against terrorism.
"Landed in Spain, marking the start of a very important visit aimed at improving economic and cultural relations with Spain," Modi tweeted in English and in Spanish.
This is the first time since 1988 that an Indian prime minister is visiting Spain. Modi was received by Spain's Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis.
"Hola Espana! Prime Minister Modi arrives in Madrid, first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly three decades, is received by Spanish FM in a special gesture," Gopal Baglay, the spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs, said in a tweet.
Hola España! PM arrives in Madrid, first visit by an Indian PM in nearly three decades, is received by Spanish FM in a special gesture pic.twitter.com/zN2JTXrotT
— Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) May 30, 2017
#WATCH: PM Narendra Modi meets people outside the hotel in Madrid(Spain) pic.twitter.com/JpGpq54AIQ
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017
Modi will meet Spain's top leadership, including his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy, to discuss issues of mutual interest. He is expected to meet King Felipe VI on Wednesday. He is also scheduled to meet top CEOs to encourage them to participate in the 'Make in India' initiative.
Several agreements are expected to be inked between both countries in fields like renewable energy, high speed rail, infrastructure, civil aviation, water waste management and air space management.
"He (Modi) would also have a round-table interaction with leading Spanish business leaders who are keen to invest in India. Prime Minister's visit to Spain will add further strength to the existing warm and friendly India-Spain bilateral ties," the ministry of external affairs had said in a statement.
Modi, before leaving for Spain on Tuesday night, met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, his official residence, in Berlin's Tiergarten district on the banks of the river Spree. He was given a tour of the castle following which he signed the visitor's book.
Earlier in the day, German Chanceller Angela Merkel and the Indian PM signed 12 agreements covering the areas of digitisation, skill development, sustainability, cyber policy, development cooperation, advanced training, vocational education, health sector, alternative medicine, foreign service institutes, railway safety and sustainable urban development.
