Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized the shared commitment of India and the European Union (EU) to deepen their strategic partnership.
In a post on X, PM Modi stated:
“Pleased to speak with President Antonio Costa. India and the EU are natural partners. We are committed to working closely together to further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership, including in the areas of technology, green energy, digital space, trade and investments.”
President Antonio Costa expressed similar enthusiasm, recalling his earlier meeting with PM Modi during Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in 2017. Costa highlighted India’s importance as a global partner for the EU.
In his post on X, Costa said:
“It was a pleasure to talk again with my long-time friend, India PM Narendra Modi. We’ve known each other since 2017, when he invited me to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. India is one of our main global partners. It is time to boost our relations and to engage in a new strategic agenda. Looking forward to the EU-India summit later this year. In our call, we addressed shared concerns, focusing on security, international law, and ways to collaborate in tackling geopolitical challenges in Europe and in Asia.”
Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, is preparing to host the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention from January 8-10, 2025. The event will feature participation from overseas Indians and content creators.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA) in the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that the Odisha government would host two plenary sessions to highlight opportunities for the Indian Diaspora in the region.
Prime Minister Modi will also address the convention and remotely flag off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train dedicated to the Indian Diaspora.