New Delhi, 10 August: On its Nordic outreach mission, the Minister of state for external affairs Meenakshi Lekhi will pay an official visit Iceland and Norway from August 16. Other than the two Nordic countries, the minister will also visit Malta. The visit to the two Nordic countries comes in the backdrop of Denmark hosting the second India-Nordic summit. 
According to the sources from Ministery of External Affairs , MoS Meenakashi Lekhi’s will travel Norway from 16 to 18 August, followed by her visit to Iceland between 19-20 August and Malta 21-23 August.
During her visit to Oslo, MoS will meet Ms. Anniken Huitfeldt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway. She will also participate in a panel discussion on India-Norway Green Energy Cooperation together with Mr. Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Climate and Environment in Arendal.
In Reykjavik, MoS will have discussions with Ms. Thordis Kolbrun Gylfadottir, Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as Ms Lilja Alfredsdóttir, Minister of Culture & Business Affairs. She will also pay a courtesy call on Mr. Birgir Ármannsson, Speaker of the Parliament.
In Valletta, MoS will pay a courtesy call on Dr. George Vella, President of Malta and will have discussions with Dr. Ian Borg, Minister for Foreign & European Affairs and Trade. She will also meet the Minister of Tourism as well as the Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government.
In addition to bilateral meetings, MoS will interact with a cross-section of members of Indian diaspora and participate in cultural/yoga events as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations in the three countries.
MoS’ visit will further the momentum of high level exchanges, and provide an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the three countries bilaterally and in the multilateral fora.
-Dr. M SHAHID SIDDIQUI, Follow via @shahidsiddiqui
