Global State: PM Modi charts diplomatic course in Rio De Janeiro

New Delhi, Nov 19: On the sidelines of the G20 Summit held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and on the second leg of the tri-nation visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a series of high-profile bilateral meetings with world leaders, aimed at strengthening India’s global partnerships across diverse sectors.

His interactions with leaders from France, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Norway, Italy, and Portugal underscored India’s growing diplomatic engagement and commitment to addressing shared challenges in technology, trade, climate change, and more.

Meeting with President Emmanuel Macron of France

Prime Minister Modi’s discussion with President Emmanuel Macron marked their third meeting in 2024, following engagements during the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi and the G7 Summit in Italy. The rapport between the two leaders was evident, as PM Modi tweeted:

“It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, President Emmanuel Macron. Complimented him on the successful hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. We discussed enhancing cooperation in space, energy, AI, and other futuristic areas. Our nations will also work closely to strengthen people-to-people linkages.”

The dialogue focused on advancing the India-France Strategic Partnership under the Horizon 2047 roadmap. They reviewed progress in defence, space, and civil nuclear energy collaborations and emphasised the potential of emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence. PM Modi welcomed France’s upcoming AI Action Summit, highlighting joint efforts in digital public infrastructure. Both leaders also exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific region and pledged to uphold multilateralism and a stable international order.

First Meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Prime Minister Modi met the newly appointed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The discussions cantered on the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with an emphasis on technology, trade, innovation, and green finance. Modi congratulated Starmer on his new role, while Starmer reciprocated with warm wishes for Modi’s third term.

The leaders stressed the importance of accelerating the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Modi’s announcement of establishing two new Indian consulates in Belfast and Manchester was well received by Starmer, who noted the growing need for consular services amid deepening economic ties. Modi tweeted: “Had an extremely productive meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UK is of immense priority. We are eager to enhance cooperation in technology, green energy, security, and innovation.”

Strengthening Ties with Norway

In his meeting with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, PM Modi emphasised the importance of the India-European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (India-EFTA-TEPA). The dialogue highlighted cooperation in renewable energy, green hydrogen, carbon capture, and sustainable maritime projects. Both leaders recognized the potential of leveraging Norway’s expertise in the blue economy and India’s ambitious renewable energy goals.

The focus was on expanding bilateral ties in innovative fields like geo-thermal energy and fisheries. They also exchanged views on regional developments, underscoring the importance of collaboration in Arctic research and environmental sustainability.

Deepening Engagement with Portugal

Prime Minister Modi’s conversation with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro was their first since Montenegro assumed office in April 2024. They discussed enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, defence, and digital technologies.

The two leaders also looked forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Portugal in 2025, committing to jointly mark the occasion. Modi tweeted: “Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. India cherishes its long-standing ties with Portugal. We discussed invigorating economic linkages, especially in renewable energy and green hydrogen, and explored avenues in defence and technology.”

Dialogue with President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia

In his meeting with Indonesia’s newly elected President Prabowo Subianto, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Both leaders expressed a strong commitment to enhancing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade, defence, tourism, and connectivity.

They also discussed prioritising the concerns of the Global South and strengthening their collaboration within multilateral forums like ASEAN. Randhir Jaiswal, India’s spokesperson, noted in a tweet: “Commemorating 75 years of warm ties! PM @narendramodi met President @prabowo on the sidelines of the #G20Brazil Summit. Both leaders discussed ways to enhance the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and expand it to new domains.”

Engaging with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni covered a range of bilateral interests, from defence and security to trade and cultural exchanges. Modi emphasised the potential for strengthening the India-Italy partnership, especially in areas like education, technology, and green energy. In his tweet, he remarked: “Glad to have met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Our talks centred around deepening ties in defence, trade, and technology. India-Italy friendship holds great promise for contributing to a better planet.”

Interaction with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez

Modi’s engagement with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez included discussions on enhancing bilateral ties, with a special focus on economic collaboration. Reflecting on their productive interaction, Modi tweeted: “From Vadodara to Rio, the interactions continue! A lovely meeting with President Pedro Sánchez. We look forward to deepening our economic linkages and exploring new opportunities for growth.”

Addressing the G20 Session

At the inaugural session of the G20 Summit, themed on “Fighting Hunger and Poverty,” PM Modi highlighted India’s efforts in poverty alleviation. He noted: “During my remarks, I talked about India’s efforts to remove 250 million people from poverty. This success is a critical step towards sustainable progress and showcases our commitment to inclusive development.”

The series of bilateral meetings at the G20 Summit in Rio De Janeiro highlights India’s proactive stance on global cooperation and its efforts to build resilient, future-oriented partnerships. Whether through addressing strategic autonomy with France, accelerating FTA talks with the UK, or expanding green initiatives with Norway and Portugal, Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic outreach reflected a comprehensive vision aimed at positioning India as a key player in the evolving global landscape.