Tag: Modi-Abe

PM Modi Meets Saudi Prince Salman on Sidelines of G20 Summit

“In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been a valuable partner. The relationship has expanded beyond the Indian community to issues related to the economy, energy and security. All issues of bilateral and regional interest will be discussed,” PMO sources said.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Thursday, November 29. They discussed ways to further boost economic, cultural and energy ties.

The two sides also held discussions on enhancing investment in technology, renewable energy and food security.

“Had a fruitful interaction with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. We discussed multiple aspects of India-Saudi Arabia relations and ways to further boost economic, cultural and energy ties,” the prime minister tweeted.

“Deepening strategic ties. PM @narendramodi met with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on sidelines of #G20Argentina. Discussed enhancing Saudi investment in technology, infrastructure, petroleum, renewable energy, food security, fintech & defence sectors,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

“In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been a valuable partner. The relationship has expanded beyond the Indian community to issues related to the economy, energy and security. All issues of bilateral and regional interest will be discussed,” PMO sources said.

Also Read: Does Narendra Modi’s Visit to Saudi Arabia Signal a Shift Away from Iran?

The prime minister also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. According to sources, the UN Secretary General has reached out to the PM for the second time in two months.

They said the meeting signifies the importance that both leaders attach to the issue of climate change. This outreach comes just a week before the COP24 meet in Katowice, Poland.

“It reflects the respect in which the prime minister and his initiatives are held globally to take the lead on issues of global importance,” the sources said.

On the sidelines of the two-day 13th G-20 summit, Modi, Trump and Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe will hold a trilateral meeting amidst China flexing its muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

The trilateral meeting, which would be an expansion of the meeting between Trump and Abe, is part of the series of discussions the US president will have on the sidelines of the G-20 summit on November 30 and December 1.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on Thursday the trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi will be held towards the end of the Trump-Abe talks.

“Looking forward to a wide range of interactions at the G-20 Summit, aimed at furthering sustainable development,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted soon after he landed here.

Modi will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the event, the Ministry of External Affairs had said on the eve of his departure.

He will be in Buenos Aires from November 29 to December 1.

Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Abe Sign Rail and Naval Cooperation Agreement

During the 13th annual summit, the two prime ministers reviewed developments in bilateral relations and explored new areas of cooperation, focusing on a shared vision for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific where China is flexing its muscle.

New Delhi: India and Japan signed six agreements, including one on a high speed rail project and naval cooperation, and agreed to hold a 2+2 dialogue after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held talks on Monday. They discussed a range of bilateral, regional and global issues including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the 13th annual summit, the two prime ministers reviewed developments in bilateral relations and explored new areas of cooperation, focusing on a shared vision for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific where China is flexing its muscle.

The two leaders agreed that India and Japan must work together for a rules-based and inclusive world order that fosters trust and confidence by enhancing communication and connectivity to ensure rule of law, unimpeded trade and flow of people, technology and ideas for shared prosperity.

They agreed to hold a 2+2 dialogue between the foreign ministers and defence ministers of the two countries. India has a similar agreement with the US and the two sides held the first round of 2+2 dialogues in New Delhi last month.

“We both agree that from digital partnership to cyberspace, health, defence, ocean to space, in every field we will strengthen our partnership,” Prime Minister Modi said after the talks.

The two leaders reviewed the progress made on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project, which is an important symbol of India-Japan collaboration. They also signed an agreement on yen loan for the project.

They welcomed continued cooperation on metro projects which support smarter development of Indian cities.

On the defense end, they signed an agreement on the implementing arrangement for deeper cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

The formal summit between Modi and Abe comes a day after the two prime ministers spent about eight hours together at a picturesque resort near Mount Fuji in Yamanashi prefecture discussing ties between the two countries and ways to deepen the strategic dimension of the bilateral relationship.

Earlier, Modi was given a guard of honour upon his arrival for the annual summit talks at the Kantei, the prime minister’s official residence.

(PTI)