In an effort to bolster his "Link West" diplomacy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicks off his maiden visit to Europe on Thursday since assuming office in May last year, with stops at France and Germany before he travels to Canada.

As the pragmatic prime minister is eager to boost the country's stagnant economy, his primary goal is bringing forward India's economic and trade ties with these countries and attracting investment to India, which is short of capital, by advertising India's investment climate during the eight-day trip.

France and Germany, financially powerful and with big sway in Europe, are reasonable choices for starting a tour of the 28-member bloc.

India has no substantial grudges or divergences on political issues with the three countries, but bilateral relationships with them have long maintained aloof as their attention is seldom given to the emerging country apart from regular meetings.

Therefore, Modi hopes to improve the ties and lift them to a higher and more mature level, although what he wants more is to intensify the bilateral economic and trade ties. 

The visit to France, with which India has cooperated on sectors such as defense and civil nuclear power, will focus on weapon purchase and nuclear reactors. Modi's agenda includes discussions for the sale of European pressurized reactors and 126 Dassault Rafale medium-range multi-role combat aircraft. India seeks inclusion in the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, and France's support is essential for this and will facilitate its use of civil nuclear energy.

German investors have shown high expectations about the opportunities brought by Modi's April 12-14 visit to Germany, India's largest trading partner in the EU.

In fact, the roaring labor costs and stricter environment regulations in China have pushed enthusiastic investors to look away and eye India as a more desirable destination, particularly those from small- and medium-sized businesses. And the widespread English proficiency in India also gives a fillip to their interest.

Modi is set to inaugurate the Hannover Messe, a massive industrial fair in which India is a partner, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during his visit.

Modi's visit to Canada between April 14 and 16, the first bilateral one by an Indian prime minister since 1973, will enable the leaders "to reaffirm the close relationship between Canada and India and to discuss ways to further broaden its scope," as the Canadian High Commission put it.

As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, the G4 nations intend to garner support worldwide and push ahead with reform of the UN Security Council. The reform issue will likely come up during Modi's talks with state leaders to gain European support for India to obtain permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

The next two years is critical for India as the country is predicted to have the economy grow by 8.1-8.5 percent in the 2015-16 financial year despite the global economic slowdown, and in the process foreign investment is critical. Once the prediction can be realized, it will send considerably an encouraging message to the Western countries.

However, although there have been many meetings and visits between India and the EU such as regular business summits over the past decade, their talks have hardly translated into actual outcomes and no considerable European investment has been made in India. One reason is India's slow moving on infrastructure improvement.

A dramatic improvement in India's relationship with Europe and remarkable progress in their economic cooperation is unlikely to happen just through one visit. There won't be big strides forward in India and changes have to take place slowly and gradually.

The article was compiled by Global Times reporter Sun Xiaobo based on an interview with Zhao Gancheng, director of South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies. sunxiaobo@globaltimes.com.cn