PM Modi to Begin Europe Tour on April 9, Will Visit France, Germany

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on his Europe tour in April. Between April 9 and 12, the PM will be in France and Germany. From there, he will proceed to Canada.

The Prime Minister was also to visit Brussels, but the plan was shelved after the European Union failed to respond to India's proposal in time.

While in France, he will interact with different sections of society as well as the country's political leadership.
In Germany, PM Modi is expected to inaugurate the Hannover Messe 2015 fair along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on April 12. India is a partner country in the fair.

Germany is the eighth largest foreign direct investor in India. German FDI in India during the period 1991-2014 was valued at $7.57 billion.

The Prime Minister will be in Canada from April 14 to 16, making stops in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.

"Canada and India enjoy a close friendship based on shared values of democracy, pluralism and a mutual interest in expanding trade," said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"India's growing economy presents enormous opportunities for Canada and I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Modi to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand our trade and investment ties," he added.

India is Canada's largest trading partner in South Asia and continues to be a priority market under Canada's Global Markets Action Plan.

In March, the Prime Minister undertook a five-day three-nation tour to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, to reinvigorate India's ties with the Indian Ocean economies.