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Modi Gets Starmer To Restart Trade Talks With India After G20 Meeting

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Tripti Nath
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with his British counterpart, Keir Starmer and members of his delegation, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with his British counterpart, Keir Starmer and members of his delegation, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has something to write home about from Rio de Janiero, the venue of the G20 summit.

Modi’s meeting with the British Prime Minister has been very fruitful as Starmer said he would restart talks with India for a free trade deal.

India’s exceptionally gregarious Prime Minister is making the most of his presence at the G20 summit in Brazil by engaging with leaders from different continents.

“The U.K. will seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a trade agreement, as well as deepening co-operation in areas like security, education, technology, and climate change,” Starmer’s office said in a statement.

To meet the consular requirements of the Indian community in U.K., PM Modi announced the establishment of two new Consulates General of India in Belfast and Manchester

It is not for nothing that Modi said that he had “an extremely productive meeting with Starmer.

In a post on X, the PM said, “For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the U.K. is of immense priority.”

He said that India and U.K. are eager to work closely in areas such as technology, green energy, security, innovation and technology, in the  coming years.

“We also want to add strength to trade as well as cultural linkages.”
The MEA said that both leaders underlined the importance of resuming the FTA negotiations at an early date.
They expressed confidence in the ability of the negotiating teams, to address the remaining issues to mutual satisfaction.
The  two Prime Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the India-U.K. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Modi congratulated Starmer on assuming office as this was their first meeting.
Prime Minister noted the importance of addressing the issue of economic offenders from India in the U.K.
They also agreed on the need to make progress on issues related to migration and mobility.

The Prime Minister has already met leaders from France, Italy, Indonesia, Norway, Portugal and U.K. on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

These discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

Modi arrived in Brazil after a two-day visit to Nigeria.

On Monday, he met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to explore ways to strengthen ties in defence, security, trade, and technology.

In a post on X, Modi expressed satisfaction over his meeting with his Italian counterpart.
“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 stated.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X that the strategic partnership between India and Italy is robust.
Both leaders endorsed the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-’29 to further enhance bilateral ties.
“Strategic Partnership going strong! ” the MEA noted.
The MEA stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with the French President,  Emmanuel Macron in Brazil is the third this year.
In January, President Macron visited India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations.
Modi and Macron also met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advance the India-France Strategic Partnership and their shared vision for bilateral cooperation and international partnership.
Modi and Macron commended the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation, including in strategic areas such as defense, space and civil nuclear energy.
The two leaders articulated their commitment  to accelerating it further with a view to reinforcing their shared commitment to strategic autonomy.
They also reviewed the progress of cooperation on India’s National Museum project.

They commended the strengthening of trade, investment, and technology ties, including in the areas of digital technology and Artificial Intelligence, and the India France partnership on Digital Public Infrastructure.

In this context, Prime Minister welcomed President Macron’s initiative  to organize the forthcoming AI Action Summit in France.

Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the Indo-Pacific.

They reaffirmed their commitment to work together to reinvigorate and reform multilateralism and help build a stable international order.

Modi also met his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Store, in Rio de Janeiro.

He described the meeting with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre  as “excellent.”

The Prime Minister posted on X, “Our Arctic Policy has led to further cementing of India-Norway bilateral relations.”

He said that they talked about ways to improve investment linkages, particularly in renewable energy, green hydrogen and the blue economy.

Apart from this, Modi and Støre also discussed closer cooperation in sectors like innovation and research.

Both Prime Ministers took stock of the progress in bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in various fields.

They noted that the signing of the India – European Free Trade Association – Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (India-EFTA-TEPA) is an important milestone in bilateral relations.

In another significant meeting, Modi held a dialogue with the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
The two leaders discussed enhancing ties in commerce, security, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.
Modi remarked on X about their meeting’s significance as it marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia.

“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,” he said.

The MEA also put out a post on X on the Prime Minister’s meeting with his Portugese counterpart, Luis Montenegro.
“Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister of Portugal, Mr. Luís Montenegro,” Modi posted on X.
He said that India cherishes the long-standing ties with Portugal.
“Our talks focussed on adding more vigour to our economic linkages.”
He further said that sectors like renewable energy and green hydrogen offer many opportunities for more collaboration.
“We also talked about strong defence relations, people-to-people linkages and other such subjects,” Modi said.
Leaders from the Group of 20 major economies on Monday discussed proposals to reduce poverty, support developing nations and reform global institutions.

Their clear intention was to give more voice to the “Global South”.

The agenda is defined by this year’s chair Brazil and reinforced by 2025 host South Africa.

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Delhi based journalist pickled in journalism. Have reported from nine world capitals and almost all parts of India. Over the last three decades, I have worked for India’s mainstream English dailies and contributed to All India Radio, Doordarshan and Women’s Feature Service. Also worked for international media including Japan’s leading newspaper, The Asahi Shimbun and done assignments for The Sunday Times, London, The Telegraph, The Guardian and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Worked in the Embassy of France in New Delhi and can speak French to save my life. Write on Diplomacy, Politics and the social sector. Love Nature, heritage, Nature, animals and vintage cars. Enjoy cycling and playing badminton.

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