Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a "productive" trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the G-20 summit, discussing issues of the Indo-Pacific region, connectivity and infrastructure development.
The trilateral meeting between PM Modi, Trump and Abe focused on how the three countries - Japan-America-India or JAI - can work together towards an open, stable and rule-based Indo-Pacific region. Attending his sixth G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, PM Modi highlighted the importance India attaches to JAI.
Elaborating on the trilateral meeting of Japan-America-India, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that the main topic of discussion was Indo-Pacific and how the three countries can work together in terms of connectivity, infrastructure as well as work together to ensure peace and security.
Committed to a better future.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 28, 2019
Meeting of JAI (Japan-America-India)Trilateral takes place in Osaka.
PM @AbeShinzo welcomes the leaders. @POTUS congratulates Prime Ministers Modi and Abe for their electoral victories.
PM Modi highlights the importance India attaches to JAI. pic.twitter.com/IBjkzFuTKY
Modi- Trump hold bilateral meeting
The prime minister later met Trump, who congratulated him on BJP's big win in the Lok Sabha 2019 election. Trump, who is himself preparing for a re-election in 2020, said: "You deserve it (victory). You have done a great job in pulling together. I remember when you first took over, there were many factions and they were fighting with each other and now they get along. It's a fantastic tribute to you and your abilities."
Meeting for the first time after the national elections, Trump and Modi discussed various bilateral and global issues including trade, defence, Iran and 5G communications networks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
As multiple disagreements cropped up between India and the US, including trade dispute and an arms deal with Russia, the interaction between the two leaders was significant. However, Modi and Trump did not discuss India's $5-billion deal with Russia for S-400 air defence systems.
"We have become great friends and our countries have never been closer. I can say that with surety. We will work together in many ways including military, we'll be discussing trade today," Trump stated.
PM Modi said that India has strong trade ties with the US and has bought advanced military hardware from American defence firms recently. "We will strive to work for a positive relationship with the US... India-US vision is far-sighted and positive. We are committed to ensuring a better future," the PM said.
What is G20 summit?
The "Group of 20" or G20 is an annual meeting of leaders from countries including 19 countries and the European Union (EU). They are - India, Japan, US, UK, European Union, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Russia, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
The two-day summit is one of the most high-stakes and fractious meetings in years, with trade, geopolitical tensions, and climate change on the agenda.
