Close X
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ADVT 
India

PM Modi meets top EU leaders ahead of G20 meet

Darpan News Desk IANS, 29 Oct, 2021 11:02 AM
  • PM Modi meets top EU leaders ahead of G20 meet

New Delhi/Rome, Oct 29 (IANS) A day ahead of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday kickstarted his official engagements in Rome with "a productive interaction" with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Modi reached Rome on Friday morning where he will join other G20 leaders in discussions on global economic and health recovery from the pandemic, sustainable development, and climate change in the first in-person summit of the G20 since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020.

His first official engagement was with the top leaders of the European Commission. Soon after the meeting was over, he tweeted: "We had wide ranging talks on deepening the India-EU friendship, particularly in areas such as trade, commerce, culture and environment."

Stating that India has a key role to play in the green transition, Michel said: "We discussed global health and fighting the pandemic, the strong EU-India Strategic Partnership, the situation in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific."

Leyen tweeted: "Our EU-India strategic agenda is on the right track. We agreed that our trade negotiators will start to work. We'll deepen our cooperation on climate, including on innovation and technology."

Looking forward to cooperating in the Indo-Pacific EU Global Gateway, she said.

The PMO handle said: "The leaders discussed ways to enhance economic as well as people-to-people linkages aimed at creating a better planet."

Modi paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi and also met members of the Indian community that extended a warm welcome to him with sloganeering and placard displays.

Earlier in the morning here, the Prime Minister was received by senior Italian officials and the Indian Ambassador in Italy, a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in New Delhi.

Modi is on a visit to Rome and the Vatican City from Friday till October 31 at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Modi will also be meeting with leaders of other partner countries and review the progress in bilateral relations.

The G20 began a consultation forum between Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the world's major economies. Following the 2008 economic crisis, it became a forum between heads of state and government, aimed at improving coordination on the main global issues.

During his visit to Italy, Modi will also visit the Vatican City, to call on Pope Francis and meet Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

MORE India ARTICLES

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: On His Scooter, 'Baba Jee Burger Wale' Ravinder Pal Singh Campaigns In Ludhiana

"I am on my own in this campaign. I move around on my Activa with a small poster in front and my security guard riding pillion. I am contesting the election because people, particularly traders, are fed up with the candidates of the bigger political parties," Ravinder told IANS.  

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: On His Scooter, 'Baba Jee Burger Wale' Ravinder Pal Singh Campaigns In Ludhiana

India's Most Wanted

The top 50 list remains much the same as the one released by India last year, but the order has changed with a few new inclusions.

India's Most Wanted

Over 67 Million-Year-Old Tree Fossil Found In Shimla District

A tree fossil estimated to be over 67 million years old has been found near Kharapathar in the district, an expert said on Thursday.

Over 67 Million-Year-Old Tree Fossil Found In Shimla District

CBSE Results Out; Topper ‘Regrets’ Getting One Short Of Hundred In English

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) declared the results for the Class 12 examination on Thursday.

CBSE Results Out; Topper ‘Regrets’ Getting One Short Of Hundred In English

PepsiCo Drops Lawsuit Against Indian Farmers Over Potatoes Used In Lays Chips After Political Pressure

Food and beverages giant PepsiCo India on Thursday said it will withdraw its lawsuit against four Gujarat potato farmers accused of infringing its patent.

PepsiCo Drops Lawsuit Against Indian Farmers Over Potatoes Used In Lays Chips After Political Pressure

If You Want Burqa Ban, Prohibit Ghunghat Too: Javed Akhtar To Shiv Sena

Javed Akhtar's comment came in the wake of the Shiv Sena mouthpiece on Wednesday urging the Narendra Modi government to emulate Sri Lanka in banning the burqa on grounds of national security.

If You Want Burqa Ban, Prohibit Ghunghat Too: Javed Akhtar To Shiv Sena