PM Modi meets world leaders at G20 meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met several world leaders, including his counterparts from Italy, Japan, Jamaica and the Netherlands, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and discussed a range of bilateral issues.
The Prime Minister shared details of his engagements in a series of posts on social media.
During the meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, the two leaders discussed ways to bolster bilateral ties in several areas, including trade, investment, technology, AI, space, defence and security.
The two leaders adopted the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism, which reiterates their common resolve to fight terrorism.
“Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The India-Italy Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength, greatly benefitting the people of our nations,” Modi said in a post on social media after the meeting.
“Their talks centred around deepening ties in trade, investment, technology, AI, defence and security, space, research, innovation and culture,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the progress being made on the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29, which would benefit the two economies and peoples, he added.
Meloni expressed strong support for the AI Summit to be hosted by India in 2026, he said.
India-Italy trade is estimated at about USD 15 billion in 2023-2024, while Foreign Direct Investments from Italy into India are estimated at about USD 4 billion since the year 2000.
Modi also met Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi, the first meeting between the two leaders after Takaichi was elected as the new Prime Minister of Japan.
Earlier on October 29, PM Modi had spoken to PM Takaichi and congratulated her on assuming office. He discussed the shared vision of advancing the partnership between the two countries and the leaders underscored that stronger India-Japan ties are vital for global peace, stability and prosperity.
Sharing the details of the call in a post on X, PM Modi said, “Had a warm conversation with Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan. Congratulated her on assuming office and discussed our shared vision for advancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with focus on economic security, defence cooperation and talent mobility. We agreed that stronger India-Japan ties are vital for global peace, stability and prosperity.”
Previously, Takaichi said her government will deepen multilateral dialogue with India and other countries such as South Korea, the Philippines and Australia, and advance a “free and open Indo-Pacific” where China is increasing its military activities, state media reported. Takaichi, a protege of the late former PM Shinzo Abe, is the first woman Prime Minister of Japan.
After his interaction with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Modi said India and Jamaica are bound by a “friendship shaped by history and enriched by cultural linkages.” “Our partnership continues to grow with a deep commitment to collective progress,” he said.
During his interaction with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, PM Modi discussed cooperation in areas like water resources, innovation, technology and energy. “The bilateral partnership between our nations is growing rapidly in areas like water resources, innovation, technology and energy. We will keep working to deepen trade and investment linkages in the times to come,” said PM Modi.
Other leaders whom PM Modi includes are UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, and Brazilian President Lula da Silva. A “very productive” discussion also took place with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Modi also held interactions with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
“Interacted with Ms Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, on the sidelines of the Johannesburg G20 Summit,” PM Modi posted on social media.