Berlin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France, described terrorism as the “gravest challenge” facing humanity.
At the same time, he urged Europe to play a lead role in developing an effective global response under the aegis of the United Nations to deal with this menace.
In an interview to German newspaper ‘Handelsblatt’, he pointed out, “Europe has been hit hard by terrorism”.
“To our mind, terrorism is the gravest challenge facing humanity. Europe must play a lead role in developing an effective global response under the aegis of the United Nations to deal with this menace,” PM Modi said, as per PTI.
#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel interact at Schloss Meseberg's garden in Germany pic.twitter.com/yX7d9UDqBe
— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2017
His remarks assume significance as they come in the wake of a spate of terror attacks that have struck European countries like Germany, France, the UK and Sweden recently.
The latest terror attack to have rocked Europe was at a concert in Manchester where a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing 22 people.
Meanwhile, on reaching Berlin PM Modi tweeted, “Reached Germany. I am sure this visit will lead to beneficial outcomes and deepen India-Germany friendship
The bonds of a fruitful partnership. Chancellor Merkel receives PM @narendramodi at Schloss Messeberg before a private dinner pic.twitter.com/s8xyjszEE2
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 29, 2017
He attended a private dinner hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Schloss Meseberg, some 65 km from Berlin, which is the country retreat of the German Chancellor and the official state guest house of the government.
Later PM Modi is expected to hold a phone call with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. After Germany, the prime minister is expected to visit Spain, Russia and France, in a bid to boost bilateral and economic relations as part of the tour.
