Black money and India's membership to NSG are high on the agenda of PM Modi's visit to Switzerland
Highlights
- Switzerland is the third stop on PM Modi's five-nation tour
- He's likely to seek support for India's entry to Nuclear Suppliers Group
- PM is also likely to raise issue of black money stashed in Swiss banks
In a big win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India today got Switzerland's support for New Delhi's membership to the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group or NSG.
Here are the latest development:
"I am thankful to the President for Switzerland's understanding and support for India's membership of the NSG," PM Modi said in a joint statement after Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann announced his country's support to India's membership in the elite grouping.
PM Modi said that combating the menace of black money and tax evasion was a "shared priority" for both countries after the two leaders held comprehensive talks.
"Our agenda will be to expand economic and investment ties," PM Modi had earlier said. Switzerland is India's fifth largest trade partner and 11th largest investor.
The PM is now headed to the US where he is scheduled to arrive later today. "PM Modi's visit reflects significance that leaders of both nations place on our natural alliance," the US State Department told NDTV on Monday, noting "since 2014, there have been six meetings and countless phone calls" between the two leaders.
PM Modi's bilateral meeting with President Barack Obama will focus on climate change, security and diplomatic cooperation, the State department said. They will also have lunch together at the White House.
On Sunday, PM Modi was in Qatar, his second stop. "My Qatar visit witnessed fruitful & comprehensive deliberations that will usher a new era of strong India-Qatar friendship," he tweeted after the visit.
In Qatar's Doha, the PM addressed a huge gathering of Indian expats and reported on India's economy. The quarterly figures, even as India has faced two consecutive droughts, reflect a praiseworthy 7.9% growth rate, PM Modi said.
India and Qatar have signed seven agreements, covering a wide range of subjects including investment and tourism promotion.
On his first stop in Afghanistan, PM Modi inaugurated the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam. The Prime Minister was given Afghanistan's top civilian honour Amir Amanullah Khan Award.
PM Modi will be in the US for two days and will also address a joint session of the US Congress and meet business leaders, before visiting Mexico on the last leg of his tour. He will return to India on June 9.
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