Modi says his tour of France, Germany, Canada aims to bolster India's economic growth

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said that his visit to France, Germany and Canada next month is aimed at bolstering the country's economic agenda and creating jobs for the youth.

"My France, Germany and Canada visit is centered around supporting India's economic agenda and creating jobs for our youth, " Modi said in a series of tweets about his tri-nation tour from April 10 to 16.

In France, the Prime Minister said that he would "discuss strengthening India-France economic co-operation and visit some high-tech industrial units outside Paris" and "seek greater French involvement in our Make in India Program, including in the defense manufacturing sector".

"There are huge opportunities for collaboration in the manufacturing and infrastructure with France, including in the Railways sector," he said.

On the second leg of his visit, he tweeted: "In Germany, Chancellor Merkel and I will jointly inaugurate Hannover Messe where India is a partner country. India is the partner country at the Hannover Trade Fair this year. This gives India a special place in the trade fair and a high visibility to our business sector."

Modi said: "I intent to use my visit to substantially raise the level of German investments in India, especially in the manufacturing sector, skill development and clean energy."

He added: "Germany is the economic leader in European Union, which is the largest economic grouping in the world and our largest economic partner. I would seek Germany's support in expanding our exports to European Union and attracting higher level investments from there."

On his Canada tour, Modi said: "Soon after Independence, Canada was one of our most important developing partners. Today, it has the potential to re-emerge as one of a key economic partner."

He said that "we look forward to resuming our Civil Nuclear Energy cooperation with Canada, especially for sourcing uranium fuel for our nuclear power plants." Endi