PM Modi embarks on five-nation visit today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks today on a five-nation visit to Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico. During the visit, focus will be to broaden bilateral trade, energy and security cooperation and push for India's bid to become a member of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). He is likely to seek support of Switzerland and Mexico for India's membership of the 48-member NSG as both these countries are key members of the grouping. India has formally applied for membership of the NSG on 12th of last month. During his talks with the Swiss President Schneider- Ammann the Prime Minister may also raise the issue of black money stashed by Indians in Swiss banks.

The Prime Minister will first travel to Afghanistan where he will inaugurate the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, in Herat province, along with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Before leaving for Afghanistan, the Prime Minister in a Facebook post described the dam as a symbol of friendship. He said the dam would usher in hope, light up homes, nourish the fertile fields of Herat and bring prosperity to the people of the region.

About the Qatar visit, Prime Minister Modi said, this visit will nourish the historical bonds of friendship deeply rooted in people to people contacts, energy, trade and investment partnership. He said, he will interact with the Indian workers at the Workers' Camp and some of the members of over 6 lakh



Indians who have nurtured India’s relations through their sweat and toil. In Qatar, the Prime Minister will hold talks with his counterpart Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on a host of issues which may include trade and security.

From Qatar, he will leave for Switzerland on Sunday. About his visit to Switzerland, Mr. Modi described the country as India's key partner in Europe. Besides holding talks with President Schneider-Ammann to deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the Prime Minister will meet prominent businesspersons to expand economic and investment ties.

From Switzerland, the Prime Minister will travel to Washington on June 6 where he will have a busy schedule including an address to a joint session of the US Congress. He will be the fifth Indian Prime Minister to do so. He will also address the 40th AGM of the US India Business Council and meet US business leaders. Terming India and USA as natural partners, Mr. Modi said the two vibrant democracies celebrate their diversity and pluralism and their strong ties benefit not only the two nations but also the entire world.

About his visit to Mexico, Mr Modi said it is a privileged partner in the Latin American region. He said this is the first Prime Ministerial bilateral visit to Mexico after 30 years and has a substantial agenda to take bilateral partnership to new heights.