PM off to Portugal on way to US and Netherlands

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a tri-nation visit covering Portugal, USA and the Netherlands, as part of a continuing engagement aimed at enhancing bilateral ties in various areas.

The prime minister on Friday said he will be holding in-depth discussions with US President Donald Trump during his visit to the United States and hoped to build a forward-looking vision for partnership with the new administration.

"I will pay a working visit to Portugal on 24 June 2017. Our close historical and friendly ties have picked up momentum after Prime Minister Antonio Costa's visit to India in January 2017, Modi told the media ahead of his planned departure.

The prime minister said the two countries will review the progress of various joint initiatives and decisions. ''We will also discuss ways to further enhance the bilateral engagement, especially in the areas of economic cooperation, science and technology, space collaboration and people to people ties,'' the PM added.

We will deliberate on means to intensify our cooperation in counter-terrorism and on other international issues of mutual interest. I also see significant potential for deepening bilateral trade and investment ties.

The prime minister will be visiting Washington on 24-26 June, at the invitation of President Donald Trump. ''I look forward to this opportunity to have an in depth exchange of views on further consolidating the robust and wide ranging partnership between India and the United States,'' he said.

''India's partnership with the United States is multi-layered and diverse, supported by not just governments but all the stakeholders on both sides. I look forward to building a forward looking vision for our partnership with the new Administration in the United States under President Trump.''

The prime minister will also be meeting some prominent American CEOs and interact with the Indian diaspora in the United States as well.

The PM will also visit the Netherlands on 27 June 2017.

"I will be visiting the Netherlands on 27 June 2017. We are celebrating 70 years of the establishment of Indo-Dutch diplomatic relations this year. During the visit, I will have an official meeting with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. I will also call on King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and meet Queen Maxima.

I look forward to meeting Prime Minister Rutte and reviewing our bilateral relations. I would be exchanging views with PM Rutte on important global issues including counter-terrorism and climate change.

''Economic relations form the core of our bilateral relations. The Netherlands is our sixth largest trading partner in the EU and fifth largest investment partner globally. The Dutch expertise in areas such as water and waste management, agriculture and food processing, renewable energy and ports and shipping, matches with our development needs. Indo-Dutch economic engagement is a win-win proposition. I will discuss with PM Rutte as to how the two sides should work to further harness the synergies. I will also be meeting with CEOs of major Dutch companies and will encourage them to join the Indian growth story'', he said.