PM Modi Meets Outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel, ‘Extensive’ Talks On Bilateral Relations Held

On the sidelines of the G20 summit, Prime Minister Modi has interacted with several world leaders.

PM Narendra Modi and Angela German Chancellor Merkel. (Photo: Twitter/@PMOIndia)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of G20 Summit in Rome.

“PM Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merkel met on the sidelines of the Rome G-20 Summit. There were extensive deliberations on India-Germany relations. The strong friendship between the two nations augurs well for the well-being of our plane,” PMO shared on Twitter.

PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Merkel met on the sidelines of the Rome @g20org Summit. There were extensive deliberations on India-Germany relations. The strong friendship between the two nations augurs well for the well-being of our planet. pic.twitter.com/7dsEOjRBU7

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 31, 2021

PM Modi, who is here at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi to attend the G20 summit, was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and other officials during his meeting with Merkel.

He later took to Twitter and wrote: “Chancellor Merkel has made an immense contribution in strengthening Indo-German relations. Delighted to meet her today, after a long time, in Rome for a wide-ranging and fruitful conversation”.

Chancellor Merkel has made an immense contribution in strengthening Indo-German relations. Delighted to meet her today, after a long time, in Rome for a wide-ranging and fruitful conversation. pic.twitter.com/4v7pJCHe4W

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2021

The Prime Minister is in Rome to attend the G20 summit. He has held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. 

Soon after his meeting with the German Chancellor, PM Modi met Indonesia President Joko Widodo.

“Strong relations with Indonesia is a key part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision. Ways to improve economic linkages and cultural cooperation figured prominently during the talks,” PMO wrote about the meeting.

PM @narendramodi met President @jokowi in Rome. Strong relations with Indonesia is a key part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision. Ways to improve economic linkages and cultural cooperation figured prominently during the talks. pic.twitter.com/IP5ghJiTsQ

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 31, 2021

Earlier in the day, PM Modi held “fruitful talks” with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez.

As per a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders welcomed the growing bilateral trade and investment linkages including the recent signing of the contract to procure 56 C295 aircraft from Airbus Spain, 40 of which will be ‘Made in India’ in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems. 

PM Modi and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez agreed to further expand bilateral cooperation in new areas like e-mobility, cleantech, advanced materials, and deep-sea exploration. 

“PM Modi invited Spain to invest in various sectors including Green Hydrogen, infrastructure and defence manufacturing and further take advantage of India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline, Asset Monetization Plan and the Gati Shakti Plan”: the MEA informed in its official statement.

The two leaders discussed India-EU relations as well as cooperation on climate action and priorities at upcoming COP26. 

They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.

On the sidelines of the G20 summit, Prime Minister Modi has interacted with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in among others.

Italy has been holding the presidency of the G20 since December last year.

(With Agency Inputs)