The President urged businessmen of both sides to reinvent India-Sweden relations and give it new dimensions. Welcoming the enthusiasm shown by Swedish firms in investing in India, he said the three Ds of India - Democracy, Demography and Demand will ensure that their investments are a huge success.
Pointing out that India is going to become a US $ 8 trillion economy in PPP terms by the end of this year and its international trade will soon cross US $ 1 billion, the President called upon Swedish investors to lend their expertise. He said India will give them the capacity required. He said India and Sweden should share their collective wisdom to move forward together.
The President used the occasion to announce the grant of e-Tourist visa for all Swedish nationals.
The President at the Swedish King's banquet
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden hosted last evening (June 1, 2015) a banquet in honour of the President. In the banquet speech, President Mukherjee said India attaches great importance to its long standing friendship with Sweden. Though the two nations are geographically distant from each other, both are bound by a common commitment to democratic values and practice.
The President said India and Sweden have similar views on many issues of regional and global concern. The two countries have been co-operating closely in the United Nations and other multilateral fora - where India appreciates the support that it has received and continue to receive from Sweden.
India is grateful for Sweden's endorsement of its rightful claim to Permanent Membership of the United Nations Security Council and for Sweden's proactive efforts that helped India achieve Observer status in the Arctic Council during the period of Sweden's Chairmanship.
The President of India said he was confident that the bilateral agreements signed during the visit will lead to further fruitful engagement in the many fields where India and Sweden have obvious complementary ties. He also congratulated the people of Sweden for their creativity and their ingenious innovations and thanked them for giving to the world some of the most important and life-changing inventions.
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