Amid COVID-19 worries, second India-Nordic summit postponed

The secondIndia-Nordic summit that was to take place in June in person has been postponed since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won't be travelling abroad amid thepandemic.

The summit was to take place in Denmark and to include all fiveNordic countries - Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.

"it is no secret that PM Modi is not travelling in June, so, therefore, the India-Nordic summit has been postponed," said the ambassador of DenmarkFreddy Svane at a virtual meet hosted by the India Writes Network.The physical summit is expected to happen later and a "timespan" is being looked into.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The first India-Nordic summit took place in Sweden's capital Stockholm in April 2018 and is a unique format that brings together India along with all the countries in the Nordic region. A similarformat meet has was aligned with the US in May 2016 when the then US President Barack Obama had held meetings with Nordic countries.

New Delhi has been increasing its engagement with the Nordics or the northern European countries,which are known for clean technology, renewables, and a high standard of living.

Since last year, Indian PM Modi has had virtual summits with threeNordic countries - Denmark, Sweden, and Finlandwhich is highest in any specific region of the world.

Earlier, Modi was to travel to the UK as well to participate in the G7 leaders meet in June. India's Ministry of External Affairs announced earlier this month that the visit stands cancelled "given the prevailing COVID-19 situation."

India was invited as a guest to participate at the G7 by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson who is the chair of the grouping. This is is the thirdtime in a row that India is being invited for G7, first by the French in 2019, Americans in 2020and now the British this year.