Strong relations between Gujarat and Europe

Published By : Admin | November 27, 2013 | 14:19 IST
Quote"Top European economies have met Shri Narendra Modi to discuss stronger ties "
Quote"British HC, German, French, Italian @Swiss Ambassador have met Narendra Modi "
Quote"Demark and Sweden upbeat on strong relations with Gujarat"

Strong relations between Gujarat and Europe

Shri Narendra Modi firmly believes that no progress is complete without engaging and learning from the outside world. Growth is not possible by remaining in a close shell, oblivious to the rapidly changing world around us. Over the last many years, especially in the recent past, numerous European nations have increased their engagement with Gujarat. Being one of India’s most economically vibrant state with a people and investor friendly government, European nations are looking at Gujarat as an attractive destination for opportunities in every sector, be it economic, social or even cultural. In Shri Narendra Modi, they have found a visionary leader who is determined to fulfill the aspirations of the people. Shri Modi’s leadership and his vision for Gujarat’s development have been appreciated as well.

All the leading European economies have active engagement with Gujarat. A historic chapter was written in October 2012 when the British High Commissioner Sir James Bevan called on Shri Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar. In a 50 minute long meeting with Shri Modi, the two of them discussed how to strengthen cooperation between the United Kingdom and Gujarat. Britain is home to a large number of people of Gujarati origin, who migrated there. Sir James Bevan was also present during the 2013 Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, where he stressed on Britain and Gujarat being natural partners.

British HC Sir James Bevan with Shri Narendra Modi


(British HC Sir James Bevan with Shri Narendra Modi)

Britain’s Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr. Hugo Swire came to Gujarat and held deliberations with Shri Narendra Modi. Minister Swire was present at the signing of the Long Term LNG Contract between GSPC and British Gas, which is a landmark step in Gujarat’s warm relations with the United Kingdom.

Britain’s Minister Hugo Swire meeting Chief Minister Narendra Modi


(Britain’s Minister Hugo Swire meeting Chief Minister Narendra Modi)

In November 2013 the Italian Ambassador to India Mr. Daniele Mancini led a high-powered business delegation to Gujarat and met Shri Modi. Ambassador Mancini expressed his keenness to strengthen the bond between Italy and Gujarat in the coming years.

Narendra Modi with Ambassador Daniele Mancini


(Narendra Modi with Ambassador Daniele Mancini)

The German Ambassador to India Mr. Michael Steiner called on Shri Modi on 16th November 2013. He discussed an array of issues with Shri Modi.

The German Ambassador Mr. Michael Steiner with Shri Modi in Gandhinagar


(The German Ambassador Mr. Michael Steiner with Shri Modi in Gandhinagar)

Mr. Francois Richier, France’s Ambassador to India met Shri Modi in Gujarat. The Ambassador led a delegation of 14 French companies and discussed strengthening partnership in the fields of urban infrastructure facilities, waste management and energy. The French delegation spent a long time with various authorities of the Gujarat Government during their visit to Gujarat.

Shri Modi meeting France’s Ambassador Mr. Francois Richier


(Shri Modi meeting France’s Ambassador Mr. Francois Richier)

In April 2013 Shri Modi met Switzerland’s Ambassador to India, Mr. Linus Von Castelmur in Gandhinagar. The Ambassador showed great keenness in understand the rapid development in Gujarat over the last decade and Shri Modi spoke about making ties stronger in fields such as skill development, tourism, agro processing, jewelry and watchmaking.

Shri Narendra Modi with Switzerland’s Ambassador to India Mr. Linus Von Castelmur


(Shri Narendra Modi with Switzerland’s Ambassador to India Mr. Linus Von Castelmur)

Among the Scandinavian countries, Denmark’s Ambassador to India Mr. Freddy Svane metShri Modi in June 2013. Mr. Svane also joined the National Seminar on Livestock and Dairy Development at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. Ambassador Svane expressed keenness for stronger ties with Gujarat in fields such as energy.

Mr. Lars-Olof Lindgren, Ambassador of Sweden to India came to Gujarat with a power packed delegation and during the visit the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Industry inked a MoU with Gujarat for mutual development.

Sweden’s Ambassador to India meets Shri Modi


(Sweden’s Ambassador to India meets Shri Modi)

Shri Narendra Modi interacted with top lawmakers of Europe via a videoconference on 9th February 2013. The political figures who interacted with Shri Modi are Mr. Joe Leinen (German politician from the SPD and member of the European Parliament who heads the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety in the Parliament), Mr. Nirj Deva (Member of the European Parliament and politician of Britain’s Conservative Party), Ms. Anne Marie Lizin (the Honorary President of the Belgian Senate) and Mr. Vladislav Yurchik (leader of “Communist of Russia and Deputy of the Russian Parliament, ‘Duma’), Mr. Valery Sargienko (Member of Siberia’s Legislative Assembly and leader of Communist Party).The lawmakers lauded the development journey in Gujarat and congratulated Shri Modi for making the state Vibrant without a trace of corruption.

Besides this, delegations from several European nations are visiting Gujarat and being a part of the state’s journey towards all round development.

  • Reena chaurasia September 03, 2024

    बीजेपी
Explore More
২৭.০৪.২০২৫ দা শন্দোকখিবা মন কি বাতকী ১২১শুবা তাঙ্কক্ত প্রধান মন্ত্রীনা ফোঙদোকখিবা ৱারোল

Popular Speeches

২৭.০৪.২০২৫ দা শন্দোকখিবা মন কি বাতকী ১২১শুবা তাঙ্কক্ত প্রধান মন্ত্রীনা ফোঙদোকখিবা ৱারোল
After Operation Sindoor, a diminished terror landscape

Media Coverage

After Operation Sindoor, a diminished terror landscape
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
PM reviews status and progress of TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
May 13, 2025
QuotePM lauds recent innovations in India’s TB Elimination Strategy which enable shorter treatment, faster diagnosis and better nutrition for TB patients
QuotePM calls for strengthening Jan Bhagidari to drive a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach towards eliminating TB
QuotePM underscores the importance of cleanliness for TB elimination
QuotePM reviews the recently concluded 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and says that it can be accelerated and scaled across the country

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired a high-level review meeting on the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi earlier today.

Lauding the significant progress made in early detection and treatment of TB patients in 2024, Prime Minister called for scaling up successful strategies nationwide, reaffirming India’s commitment to eliminate TB from India.

Prime Minister reviewed the recently concluded 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan covering high-focus districts wherein 12.97 crore vulnerable individuals were screened; 7.19 lakh TB cases detected, including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic TB cases. Over 1 lakh new Ni-kshay Mitras joined the effort during the campaign, which has been a model for Jan Bhagidari that can be accelerated and scaled across the country to drive a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

Prime Minister stressed the need to analyse the trends of TB patients based on urban or rural areas and also based on their occupations. This will help identify groups that need early testing and treatment, especially workers in construction, mining, textile mills, and similar fields. As technology in healthcare improves, Nikshay Mitras (supporters of TB patients) should be encouraged to use technology to connect with TB patients. They can help patients understand the disease and its treatment using interactive and easy-to-use technology.

Prime Minister said that since TB is now curable with regular treatment, there should be less fear and more awareness among the public.

Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cleanliness through Jan Bhagidari as a key step in eliminating TB. He urged efforts to personally reach out to each patient to ensure they get proper treatment.

During the meeting, Prime Minister noted the encouraging findings of the WHO Global TB Report 2024, which affirmed an 18% reduction in TB incidence (from 237 to 195 per lakh population between 2015 and 2023), which is double the global pace; 21% decline in TB mortality (from 28 to 22 per lakh population) and 85% treatment coverage, reflecting the programme’s growing reach and effectiveness.

Prime Minister reviewed key infrastructure enhancements, including expansion of the TB diagnostic network to 8,540 NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing) labs and 87 culture & drug susceptibility labs; over 26,700 X-ray units, including 500 AI-enabled handheld X-ray devices, with another 1,000 in the pipeline. The decentralization of all TB services including free screening, diagnosis, treatment and nutrition support at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs was also highlighted.

Prime Minister was apprised of introduction of several new initiatives such as AI driven hand-held X-rays for screening, shorter treatment regimen for drug resistant TB, newer indigenous molecular diagnostics, nutrition interventions and screening & early detection in congregate settings like mines, tea garden, construction sites, urban slums, etc. including nutrition initiatives; Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana DBT payments to 1.28 crore TB patients since 2018 and enhancement of the incentive to ₹1,000 in 2024. Under Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative, 29.4 lakh food baskets have been distributed by 2.55 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras.

The meeting was attended by Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Principal Secretary to PM Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary-2 to PM Shri Shaktikanta Das, Adviser to PM Shri Amit Khare, Health Secretary and other senior officials.