April 21, 2021
1 min read

Modi cancels visit to Portugal, France

Modi was slated to visit Portugal for the India-European Union (EU) leaders’ summit on 8 May and also France for bilateral talks and meeting with the French President Emmanuel Macron…reports Asian Lite News.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called of his visits to Portugal and France in May in the wake of the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Modi was slated to visit Portugal for the India-European Union (EU) leaders’ summit on 8 May and also France for bilateral talks and meeting with the French President Emmanuel Macron.

“In view of the covid-19 situation, it has been decided, in consultation with the EU and Portuguese leadership, to hold the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in a virtual format on 8 May 2021,” an Indian foreign ministry statement said on Tuesday.

“The India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in the EU+27 format, the first time that such a meeting is being held, reflects the shared ambition of both sides to further deepen the Strategic Partnership,” it said.

PM Modi may join India-EU summit via video-conference, Portuguese media citing a diplomatic source wrote “We are working with the European institutions and the Government of India to conduct the summit by video-conference, with the EU [leaders] physically present in Portugal”.

Two days ago, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had cancelled his visit to India, for the second time in the wake of the surge in number of Covid-19 infections in the country. It is now uncertain whether that summit will happen virtually on 26 April or it will be postponed.

“The two sides will be holding a virtual meeting in the coming days to launch plans for a transformed India-UK relationship,” the MEA said in a statement. “Both leaders attach the highest importance to taking the India-UK partnership to its fullest potential and propose to remain in close touch in this regard and look forward to an in-person meeting later in the year.”

Also Read-Health infra creaks as Covid-19 cases cross 2 million mark

Read More-Rahul Gandhi tests positive for Covid 19

Previous Story

Derek Chauvin guilty of George Floyd’s murder

Next Story

ICSE cancels Class 10 examinations

Latest from -Top News

Sisi, MBZ cement ties

UAE and Egypt bolster ties through high-level talks in Abu Dhabi and a landmark cardiac care initiative delivering lifesaving treatment to rural communities The United Arab Emirates and Egypt reaffirmed their strong

‘UAE leads global fight against plastic waste’

UAE accelerates its fight against plastic pollution with a bold single-use plastic ban and expanded environmental policies to safeguard natural ecosystems for future generations The United Arab Emirates continues to lead the

70,000 Gaza kids starve

WFP warned that any further escalation of conflict could paralyse relief operations altogether, deepening the plight of civilians—especially children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies, the

Prayers on the Mount

The Day of Arafat, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage, witnessed a congregation of believers from around the world As the sun blazed overhead and temperatures climbed to a sweltering 41°C,

EID MUBARAK!

UAE marks Eid Al Adha with housing support, children’s gifts, pardons, and cultural celebrations, reflecting a national spirit of compassion, unity, and shared community values Across the UAE, Eid Al Adha is
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Lt Gen Subramanian takes command of UN South Sudan mission

The operation, known as UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

Blinken backs India on Russia ties

Blinken said there is a growing strategic convergence between the