NEW DELHI: Erik Solheim, a former executive director of the UN Environment Programme, expressed his excitement to be a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic state visit to the US on Tuesday.
"The strong bond between India and the US serves as a cornerstone for global partnerships, fostering economic growth, innovation, and cultural exchanges," Solheim tweeted. He had earlier stated that the West has much to learn from Modi's economic policies and commitment to the environment, as he routinely employs the state as an economic tool, much like South Korea did with spectacular success decades ago.
Modi departed for the US on Tuesday, where he will attend events in Washington, DC, and New York City. said the Prime Minister's Office, the events will include Yoga Day festivities at the UN headquarters, conversations with President Joe Biden, a speech to the Joint Session of the US Congress, and more. The UN dedicated a solidarity tree honouring the victims of the Mumbai terror attack before Modi's state visit to the US.
Modi has made numerous trips to the US since taking office in 2014 in an effort to strengthen their bilateral relations.
Earlier, Solheim explains why Modi is the most well-liked politician in his own country in a full-page opinion piece titled "Why India is the nation to follow in 2023," which was published in Dagens Naeringsliv, a Norwegian weekly focusing in business news, in March. And how the western media is failing by portraying India and Modi in a negative light.
Solheim, who served as the minister of international development for Norway from 2005 to 2007 and as the minister of the environment from 2007 to 2012, thinks Modi's appeal stems from the fact that he both makes and shares.
"A digital economy that enables direct cash transfers by giving the poor true bank access through their smartphones for the first time. Although the sums are little, a few hundred or thousand rupees can mean a lot to someone who is extremely destitute. When I inquired if the tribal inhabitants in Madhya Pradesh's Bhargawan hamlet had benefited from the prime minister's direct cash transfer programme, all hands shot up. According to him, political leaders in Europe can learn a lot from Modi's ability to craft a compelling national narrative that makes workers, farmers, and everyone else who doesn't think the elites have shown them enough respect feel at home.
The former Norwegian diplomat and politician, who was instrumental in persuading India to phase out single-use plastics, explained why India is the nation to follow in 2023 and noted the outstanding progress.
India is expected to compete with the US to be the world's second largest economy in 2050. We would do well to look to India in the years ahead," Solheim said.
White House sets to Welcome PM Modi on June 21
Modi will meet Biden and address Congress the following week
