Modi meets Macron, says bilateral ties will gain momentum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is in Rome for the G20 Summit venue in Rome said the bilateral ties between India and France will gain momentum after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron.

Rome (Italy): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit at Roma Convention Center, said the Indo-French ties would gain momentum.

Modi termed the meeting as productive. The PM observed that both the nations were cooperating extensively in various sectors and that Saturday's talks would add momentum to the bilateral ties.

The PM's office tweeted a photo of the meet in twitter and wrote, "Productive discussions between PM @narendramodi and President @EmmanuelMacron on the sidelines of the @g20org Summit. India and France are cooperating extensively in various sectors. Today’s talks will add momentum to the bilateral ties between the two nations."

The meeting assumes significance as it is the first in-person meeting between both the leaders after AUKUS trilateral security pact came into being. Modi and Macron last spoke in September and discussed regional issues including recent developments in Afghanistan.

The two leaders had shared their concerns about the possible spread of terrorism, narcotics, illicit weapons, and human trafficking, as well as the need to ensure human rights, rights of women and minorities.

They reviewed the increasing bilateral collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region and the important role that the India-France partnership plays in promoting stability and security in the region.

PM Narendra Modi arrived in Italy on Friday to participate in the two-day Summit.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi received Modi on arrival. He took part in the G20 opening session on Global Economy and Global Health.

This summit will be the eighth G20 Summit attended by the Prime Minister. Last year's summit hosted by Saudi Arabia was held virtually because of the COVID pandemic.

Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to have a meeting with President of Indonesia Joko Widodo and is likely to have a meeting with Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong as well.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister will hold talks with Spain PM Pedro Sanchez and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the G20 summit besides participating in discussions on "Climate Change and Environment and Sustainable Development".

PM Modi departed from the Vatican City after his meeting with Pope Francis on Saturday ahead of the G20 Summit. He was accompanied by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar.

Later in the day, PM Modi is scheduled to arrive at Terme di Diocleziano for a cultural programme, followed by a dinner planned for G20 leaders and partner countries.