Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro which ranged from bilateral meets to informal meetings. The discussions spanned key areas such as technology, green energy, security, trade and cultural ties reflecting India’s growing role on the global stage. From deepening strategic partnerships to exploring new opportunities for collaboration, the meetings highlighted India’s commitment to fostering robust international relations.
India-France partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Summit on Monday. The leaders discussed strengthening ties in areas such as space, energy, artificial intelligence and enhancing people-to-people linkages.
Modi praised France’s successful hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics and described his meeting with Macron as “a matter of immense joy.”
Macron highlighted progress on initiatives launched during his January State visit to India and posted a video of their warm interaction, emphasising the “rich and multifaceted” India-France partnership. India’s external affairs ministry referred to the meeting as advancing the India-France Strategic Partnership, touching on trade, investment, technology, and regional issues like the Indo-Pacific.
The prime minister also posted pictures of him greeting Macron and the meeting.
“It is always a pleasure to meet with Prime Minister @NarendraModi, as our partnership with India is both rich and multifaced,” Macron posted on X. “We reviewed the progress on the initiatives launched during my State visit last January, as well as key international issues,” he added in the post and also posted a small video showing the two leaders hugging and sharing a laugh.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its post on X, described the meeting as “advancing India-France Strategic Partnership”.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Emmanuel Macron of France, on the sidelines of the G20 Brazil Summit,” it said in the post.
“The leaders discussed ways to further strengthen India-France ties in the areas of trade and investment, technology, AI, DPI. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the Indo-Pacific,” the MEA said.
Strengthening India-UK ties
On Tuesday, Modi met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They focussed on collaboration in technology, green energy, security and innovation. Modi underlined India’s eagerness to fortify trade and cultural linkages, calling the partnership “of immense priority.”
The MEA described the bilateral talks as a fresh impetus to the partnership, highlighting discussions on a balanced and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prime Minister Keir Starmer of UK on the sidelines of the G20 Brazil Summit in Rio. The leaders discussed various facets of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They also acknowledged the need for a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA,” the MEA said in its post on X.
Earlier in the day, Modi met US President Joe Biden and briefly interacted with him. It was not immediately known what transpired between the two leaders.
India-Italy relations
Modi’s meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni centred on deepening cooperation in defence, security, trade and technology. Modi lauded the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 as a key framework for elevating ties and expressed optimism about cultural and educational exchanges.
“Glad to have met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the Rio de Janeiro G20 Summit. Our talks centred around deepening ties in defence, security, trade and technology. We also talked about how to boost cooperation in culture, education and other such areas. India-Italy friendship can greatly contribute to a better planet,” Modi said in a post on X.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also posted on X about the meeting.
“Strategic Partnership going strong! Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy on the sidelines of the G20 Brazil Summit in Rio,” it said.
“Both leaders welcomed the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 to further elevate and give impetus to the longstanding India-Italy bilateral ties,” the MEA added.
The MEA emphasised that the discussions underscored the strength of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership.
India-Indonesia cooperation
Marking 75 years of diplomatic relations, Modi met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Their talks focused on commerce, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and security. Modi reaffirmed India’s support for strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with the MEA praising the enduring warmth of the bilateral ties.
“Delighted to meet President Prabowo Subianto during the G20 Summit in Brazil. This year is special as we are marking 75 years of India-Indonesia diplomatic relations. Our talks focussed on improving ties in commerce, security, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and more,” Modi said in a post on X, along with pictures of the two leaders.
“Commemorating 75 years of warm and friendly ties! Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia on the sidelines of the G20 Brazil Summit,” the MEA said on X.
“The prime minister congratulated President Prabowo and assured him of India’s full support. Both leaders discussed ways to work together for further strengthening the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in existing domains as well as expand it to newer areas,” it said.
Boosting economic: Linkages with Portugal
In his meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, PM Modi discussed renewable energy, green hydrogen, defence and economic linkages. He highlighted the historical ties between the two nations and identified new opportunities for collaboration.
“Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister of Portugal, Mr Luis Montenegro. India cherishes the long-standing ties with Portugal. Our talks focussed on adding more vigour to our economic linkages. Sectors like renewable energy and green hydrogen offer many opportunities for collaboration. We also talked about strong defence relations, people-to-people linkages and other such subjects,” Modi said on X.
The MEA said on X, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prime Minister Luis Montenegro of Portugal today on the sidelines of the G20 Brazil Summit in Rio. Both sides deliberated on further strengthening India-Portugal bilateral ties, including in areas of the economy, renewable energy, defence and people to people ties & cooperation in multilateral fora.” Modi also met his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store on the sidelines of the summit.
The MEA stated that both sides explored ways to enhance cooperation in multilateral forums alongside economic and people-to-people engagements.
Deepening India-Norway relations
PM Modi also met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store to discuss bilateral cooperation, particularly in renewable energy, green hydrogen and the blue economy. They also explored new investment opportunities and innovation in research.
“The meeting with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store was excellent. Our Arctic Policy has led to further cementing of India-Norway bilateral relations. We talked about how investment linkages between our nations can improve, particularly in renewable energy, green hydrogen and the blue economy. Closer cooperation in sectors like innovation and research were also discussed,” he said on X.
The MEA said the meeting explored “new avenues to strengthen India-Norway ties”.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store of Norway on the sidelines of G20 Brazil Summit. Discussions focused on ways to deepen India-Norway bilateral relations, particularly in trade and economic cooperation after the signing of India-EFTA-TEPA. The leaders also exchanged views on geopolitical issues,” it said.
The MEA noted that discussions included post-India-EFTA-TEPA trade relations and broader geopolitical issues.
Cementing India-Egypt ties
PM Modi had a brief interaction with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt on the sidelines of the Rio G20 Summit.
Bonding with South Korea
On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, PM Modi also interacted with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to take the bilateral ties between the two countries to higher levels.
The India-US bonhomie
Earlier in the day on Monday, on his interaction with US president Joe Biden, PM Modi said it is “always a delight” to meet the outgoing US president.
Championing India-Spain relationship
On the summit’s sidelines, PM Modi also met his Spanish counterpart and stressed on the continuity of the India-Spain ties.
A friend of Singapore
During the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, PM Modi had a “wonderful interaction” with PM Lawrence Wong of Singapore.
Meeting the host
On his arrival from Abuja on Monday, PM Modi interacted with his Brazilian host President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva before the formal start of the summit.
Interactions with other leaders
The India-EU equation
PM Modi also had an interaction with European Union President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
Meeting with IMF deputy managing director
IMF Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath met Modi and lauded India’s achievements in reducing hunger and poverty. Modi emphasised India’s commitment to promoting food security and eradicating poverty, describing the nation’s successes as models for global learning.
“India stands committed to promote food security and eliminate poverty. We will build on our successes and harness our collective strength and resources to ensure brighter future for all,” PM Modi posted on X.
“Great to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Rio. He conveyed the many successes of India in reducing hunger and poverty. Numerous creative initiatives for the world to learn from,” the India-born economist said on X.
India with UN
The Indian prime minister also met UN Secretary General António Guterres at the Rio G20 Summit.
PM Modi’s strategic meetings during the G20 Summit reflected India’s growing influence on the world stage with a focus on innovation, sustainability and fostering multilateral collaborations.
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Meloni, Macron to Prabowo: PM Modi’s diplomatic blitz at G20 to shape India’s future
