PM Modi has been awarded the ‘Royal Order of the Polar Star Commander Grand Cross’ in Sweden. This is the biggest honor given by Sweden to the Prime Minister or Head of Government of any country. PM Modi was honored at a function held in Gothenburg on Sunday. Many big leaders including Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Christerson were present on this occasion. This is Modi’s 31st international honour. Modi has reached Sweden after eight years. Earlier he had gone to Sweden in 2018. As soon as PM Modi’s plane entered the Swedish border, Swedish fighter jets provided him security and escort. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Christerson reached Gothenburg Airport to welcome PM Modi.
PM Modi can meet the Indian community
When PM Modi arrived at a hotel in Sweden, he was welcomed with Bengali aarti and classical dance. During this tour, PM Modi is also expected to meet people of the Indian community. This tour is being considered important for further strengthening the relations between India and Sweden. Many issues including trade, technology, defense and green energy are expected to be discussed. Several important agreements are also expected to be signed between the two countries. Earlier, during Modi’s visit to the Netherlands, an agreement was signed to bring the 11th century historical Chola copper plates to India. These are approximately 1,000 years old Tamil documents containing historical information related to the Chola Empire. Under the agreement, 11th century Chola copper plates will soon be brought to India. There are 21 large and 3 small copper plates in this collection. Most of the writing is in Tamil. Modi said that these plates contain information related to King Rajendra Chola I and his father, King Rajaraja Chola I. Copper plates are copper plates which were used to write important information in ancient times. According to experts, these documents were taken abroad during the 19th century, when European countries were doing trade and research in India and other parts of Asia.
Agreement also signed between Tata Electronics and ASML
Modi met King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima in The Hague, Netherlands on Saturday. The meeting took place at the Royal Palace, Palace House Ten Bosch. During the meeting, further strengthening of India-Netherlands relations was discussed. Both sides talked about increasing cooperation in areas like education, technology, semiconductor, digital technology, water management and green energy. The King and Queen of the Netherlands also hosted a dinner in the honor of Prime Minister Modi. Recalling the King and Queen’s visit to India in 2019, Modi said the visit has strengthened relations between the two countries. PM Modi thanked the Dutch government for its hospitality. At the CEO Roundtable meeting held in The Hague, Netherlands, Modi said that this is the best time to invest and do business in India. He said that due to reforms in tax, labor laws and government system, manufacturing in India has become cheaper and easier. PM Modi said that electronics, which was earlier a big import sector, has now become a big export sector for India. India and Netherlands will increase cooperation in areas like green hydrogen, technology and innovation.
More than 300 Dutch companies are working in India
Prime Minister Modi said that the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) agreement between India and the European Union will open new opportunities for both the parties. Apart from this, both the countries are working to further strengthen their partnership. PM Modi appealed to Dutch companies to invest more in India. He said that more than 300 Dutch companies are already operating in India and India is becoming a fast growing economy. PM Modi said that those doing business in India will get excellent opportunities and good results.