Stockholm : Sweden, a key member of the Missile Technology Control Regime, has backed India’s bid for entry into the elite group of countries that seek to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology.
The backing was conveyed to President Pranab Mukherjee, who is here on a state visit, the first-ever by any Indian head of state, by Swedish Prime Minister Stefen Lofven who called on him along with his cabinet colleagues, reports PTI.
Lofven told the President that Sweden supported India’s bid for entry into the MTCR, a voluntary association of 34 countries favouring non-proliferation of unmanned delivery systems capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.
The backing came as India is looking to secure an early membership of the four multilateral export control regimes — Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), MTCR, Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement.
Historically, Swedish governments across party lines have been very outspoken about non-proliferation and disarmament issues and the country is part of all nonproliferation treaties, accords, agreements and voluntary organisations.
In his speech at a banquet hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia last evening, Mukherjee said the two nations though geographically distant from each other are bound by a common commitment to democratic values and practice. Mukherjee said bilateral agreements that were signed during his visit here will lead to further fruitful engagement in the many fields where India and Sweden have obvious complementarities.
“Our countries have similar views on many issues of regional and global concern. We have been cooperating closely in the United Nations and other multilateral fora — where India appreciates the support that we have received and continue to receive from Sweden,” Mukherjee said.
Mukherjee also extended an invitation to the King to visit India again at a convenient date.
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E-Visa facility for Swedish nationals soon, says Prez
Stockholm : India will soon extend e-Visa facility to Swedish nationals, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Tuesday as he invited the Nordic country to be a part of government’s flagship programmes like the ‘Make in India’ initiative. “I am pleased to inform you all that Sweden will feature in the list of countries to be soon granted the e-Tourist visa
facility which would greatly facilitate travel for Swedish nationals who can come and explore ‘Incredible India’ with all its beauty, diversity, richness of culture, traditions, history and more,” Mukherjee said.
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Sumir Kaul
