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PM Modi arrives in Delhi following 3-nation tour

June 28, 2017 12:41 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday returned home after concluding his three-nation tour of Portugal, the United States and the Netherlands.

Modi, upon arrival, was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The highlight of his four-day trip was the US leg of the visit as Modi met President Donald Trump for the first time on June 26 in Washington.

In the US, Modi held talks with Trump during which the two leaders vowed to strengthen cooperation on terror. India and the US also urged Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch cross-border terror strikes.

Modi first visited Portugal, where he held wide ranging talks with his counterpart Antonio Costa. He also addressed the Indian community there and presented the Overseas Citizen of India card to Costa.

Modi and Costa signed 11 MoUs for cooperation in areas including double taxation avoidance, investments, science and technology, nanotechnology, space research, administrative reforms and culture.

Speaking at a joint conference after holding a bilateral discussion, Modi said the two sides have also agreed to set up a joint science and technology fund of four million euros.

He also announced setting up of a Chair for Indian Studies in University of Lisbon and developing a Hindi-Portuguese dictionary for mutual benefit.

The two leaders also launched a unique startup Portal - the India-Portugal International StartUp Hub -- aimed at providing information on start-up hotspots in the two countries and associated policies.

The platform initiated by Startup India and supported by the commerce and Industry Ministry and Startup Portugal to create a mutually supportive entrepreneurial partnership.

Following his Portugal visit, Modi headed towards Washington for his first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Trump and Modi pledged to increase economic cooperation to make their nations stronger and their citizens more prosperous.

The Indo-US Joint Statement asked Pakistan to not let its territory be used to launch terror attacks.

The PM also interacted with 20 top American CEOs at a roundtable meeting in Washington D.C., and talked about various topics ranging from the goods and services tax, technology, India's economy and Digital India, Make in India, Skill Development, demonetisation and the thrust towards renewable energy among others.

Modi, on the final leg of his trip, visited the Netherlands and held talks with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte. He also addressed the Indian community there.

With inputs from ANI

Photographs: PIB

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