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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Devine’s all-round brilliance trumps Nandini’s hat-trick as GG edge DC by 4 runs
Navi Mumbai (PTI): Nandini Sharma’s maiden hat-trick went in vain as Sophie Devine starred with a breathtaking 95 and a superb final over under pressure to steer Gujarat Giants to a thrilling four-run win off the last ball over Delhi Capitals in a Women’s Premier League match here on Sunday.
This was Gujarat Giants' second win on the trot, while DC slipped to their second loss.
Sent in to bat, Giants opener Devine smashed seven fours and eight sixes in her 42-ball knock, adding 94 runs for the opening wicket with Beth Mooney (19) to set the platform.
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner kept the momentum going with a brisk 49 off 26 balls, but Nandini turned the tide with remarkable figures of 5 for 33, including a hat-trick, as Gujarat were bowled out for 209.
Chasing a stiff target, opener Lizelle Lee struck a scintillating 86 off 54 balls, studded with 12 fours and three sixes. She put on 41 runs with Shafali Verma (14) before adding 90 off 55 balls with Laura Wolvaardt (77 off 38) to keep Delhi firmly in the hunt.
Once Lee was dismissed by Kashvee Gautam (1/48) in the 15th over, Rajeshwari Gayakwad removed Chinelle Henry (7) to leave Delhi at 146 for three.
Needing 64 off the last 25 balls, skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (15) joined Wolvaardt as the pair plundered 58 runs in 23 balls to bring the equation down to seven off the final five deliveries.
Devine then returned to the spotlight, dismissing both batters and conceding just two runs in the final over to seal a dramatic win.
Earlier, Devine set the tone early, striking three fours off Chinelle Henry before taking Nandini apart with two fours and a six in the fourth over. She was particularly severe on Sneh Rana, hammering two fours and four successive sixes in an over that yielded 32 runs and powered Gujarat Giants to 80 without loss in the powerplay.
The New Zealander brought up her half-century in just 25 balls before Shree Charani broke the opening stand with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort in the ninth over to remove Mooney. Devine briefly regained control, hitting Charani for three sixes, but fell in the 11th over bowled by Nandini Sharma.
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner kept Gujarat Giants on course with a brisk 49 off 26 balls, smashing four boundaries and three sixes to take the side past the 200-mark.
Jemimah Rodrigues pulled off a fine catch to dismiss Georgia Wareham (3), while Henry removed Gardner and Bharti Fulmali (3).
Nandini then capped a memorable outing by picking up four wickets in the final over, including three off the last three balls, to complete her maiden hat-trick.
