New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attended the virtual summit with his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven and highlighted the climate change as a priority as the two leaders discussed bilateral issues and other regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
“The important issue of climate change is the priority of both the nations and we would like to work together with you on this,” PM Modi told his Swedish counterpart.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the India-Sweden partnership is rooted in common values; intensifying collaboration in innovation, R&D, clean technologies, trade and investment linkages; and cooperation in meeting global challenges like climate change.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Löfven announced the decision of Sweden to join the International Solar Alliance. Welcoming the decision, Prime Minister Modi stated that Sweden’s expertise and experience in clean and renewable technologies would contribute significantly to the Solar Alliance and the collective efforts of the two nations to meet the challenge of Climate Change.
”In this regard they also noted the growing membership of the India-Sweden joint initiative – the Leadership Group on Industry Transition (LeadIT) that was launched during the UN Climate Action Summit convened by the UN Secretary General in September 2019 in New York,” MEA said in a statement.
During the virtual summit, PM Modi also touched upon India’s achievement in the power sector in recent years. “India’s renewable power capability has increased by 162% in the last five years. We have set a target of 450 GW of renewable energy in use by 2030. By promoting use of LED lights, we are cutting down on 38 million tons carbon dioxide emissions,” PM Modi said. He added that India was among the only countries in G20 which has stood by its commitment.
PM Modi also expressed concern at the violent attack in Sweden on 3rd March and wished speedy recovery to the victims.
The PM further spoke about India’s efforts to provide Covid-19 vaccine to needy nations across the world. “We have provided ‘Made in India’ vaccines to around 50 countries so far. We are committed to supply Covid vaccines to more countries in the world in the coming time,” he said.
The MEA Secretary (West) in a statement said that this was the fifth interaction between the two leaders since 2015. Prime Minister Modi had visited Stockholm in April, 2018 for the First India Nordic Summit. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven had visited India in February, 2016 for the special “Make in India” week.
Earlier, the two leaders had met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September, 2015. In April, 2020, the two Prime Ministers had a telephonic conversation to discuss the situation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
-ARK
