Nordic competencies fit well with our vision for India's transformation: Modi
New Delhi, April 15: The globally-recognized strengths of Nordic countries in areas of clean technologies, environmental solutions, ports modernization and cold-chains etc fit well with "our vision for Indias transformation", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday before departing on a four-day visit to Sweden and Britain April 17-20.
"The Nordic countries have globally recognized strengths in clean technologies, environmental solutions, ports modernization, cold-chains, skill development and innovation. Nordic competencies fit well with our vision for India's transformation," Modi said in his departure statement.
"Sweden is a valuable partner in our development initiatives. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and I will also have the opportunity to interact with top business leaders of both the countries and chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, innovation, skill development, smart cities, clean energy, digitization and health," he said.
On April 17, India and Sweden will jointly organize the India-Nordic Summit in Stockholm with the Prime Ministers of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. This is Modi's first visit to Sweden. He would also call on King King Carl XVI Gustaf.
The next day, Modi would reach London to hold a bilateral with his British counterpart Theresa May, and take part in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHGM) on April 19 and 20.
He last visited Britain in November 2015.
"My visit to London presents another opportunity for both countries to infuse fresh momentum to this growing bilateral engagement. I will be focusing on enhancing India-UK partnership in the areas healthcare, innovation, digitization, electric mobility, clean energy, and cyber security," he said.
Under the theme of "Living Bridge", Modi will also meet people from various walks of life who have "enriched the multi-faceted India-UK relationship".
He would also call on Queen Elizabeth II, interact briefly with business leaders of the two countries, launch an Ayurveda Centre of Excellence in London, and welcome Britain into the International Solar Alliance as its new member.
On April 19 and 20, Modi will participate in the CHOGM where Britain which will take over as the new Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth from Malta.
"The Commonwealth is a unique multilateral grouping that not only provides useful assistance to its developing country members, particularly the small states and small-island developing states, but also has a strong international voice for development issues.
"I am confident that these visits to Sweden and United Kingdom will be useful in enhancing our engagement with these countries," he said .
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Pakistan reports two more polio cases; Total tally now 52
ISLAMABAD: At least two more cases of poliovirus were reported in Pakistan, taking the number of infections to 52 so far this year, a report said on Friday.
“The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of two more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases in Pakistan," an official statement said.
The fresh infections — a boy and a girl — were reported from the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is underway," the statement read. Dera Ismail Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reported five polio cases so far this year.
Of the 52 cases in the country this year, 24 are from Balochistan, 13 from Sindh, 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
There is no cure for polio. Only multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five can keep them protected.
