Estonian President Highlights India's Key Role in Global Affairs During First Meeting with PM Modi
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Synopsis
During their first meeting at the AI Summit in Paris, Estonian President Alar Karis emphasized India's crucial international role to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing cybersecurity, bilateral cooperation, and the importance of democratic values.
Key Takeaways
- Importance of India-Estonia relations
- Focus on cybersecurity and digital cooperation
- Growing cultural ties between nations
- India's role in global security discussions
- Opportunities in ICT sector for collaboration
Paris, Feb 11 (NationPress) During their inaugural meeting, Estonian President Alar Karis highlighted India's vital role in the global landscape while conversing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris.
The discussions encompassed the ongoing collaboration in cybersecurity and the prevailing global conflicts.
Both leaders acknowledged that the amicable relations between India and Estonia stem from their mutual dedication to democracy, the rule of law, and the principles of freedom and pluralism.
As per a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), they expressed pleasure regarding the increasing cooperation across various sectors, including trade, investment, IT, digital, culture, tourism, and people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to the Estonian government and businesses to leverage the opportunities presented by India's growth narrative and engage with initiatives like Digital India.
The leaders acknowledged the significance of the India-Estonia partnership within the broader context of the India-EU strategic alliance. They welcomed the commencement of ministerial exchanges in the India-Nordic-Baltic format and shared insights on regional and global matters of shared interest, including cooperation at the United Nations, as detailed in the statement.
Prime Minister Modi and President Karis expressed contentment with the expanding cultural and societal links between their nations.
The PM noted the increasing popularity of Yoga in Estonia, as highlighted by the PMO.
President Karis asserted that bilateral relations between Estonia and India have gained traction in recent years.
He remarked, “We already have robust collaboration in e-governance, cybersecurity, and digital government services, but I believe there is potential for further enhancement, and I hope the Estonian ICT sector can provide suitable solutions to Indian partners.”
Karis mentioned that in 2023, the Estonian e-Government Academy played a role in updating India's national ICT strategy, establishing a solid foundation for continued collaboration.
In addition to discussing digital cooperation, the Estonian President also addressed the need for enhanced international security.
On the topic of the Russia-Ukraine war, President Karis underscored India's important role on the global stage and stressed the necessity of adhering to international law.
The agenda also included discussions on compliance with sanctions against Russia and the implications of North Korea's military involvement in Ukraine, which President Karis indicated connects the Indo-Pacific region to European security, as stated by the Estonian President's office.
