(Image source from: The Hindu)
After delivering a spectacular address in Houston, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with prominent leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian President Giuseppe Conte, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York on September 23.
PM Modi arrived in New York on September 22 to take part in the 74th session of the UNGA.
The Prime Minister interacted with a number of heads of state, including Merkel, Conte, bin Hamad, Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez, President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger, President Hage Geingob of Namibia, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Bhutan's Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte.
With the Italian president, he discussed strengthening bilateral ties, especially in the field of trade and investment, as also cooperation in the defense sector.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted:
Underscoring common synergies PM@narendramodi met Italian President @GiuseppeConteIT. Discussed strengthening bilateral ties, especially in trade & investment, inviting Italian SMEs to India to take advantage of low cost production, and cooperation in defence sector.
Underscoring common synergies
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 24, 2019
PM @narendramodi met Italian PM @GiuseppeConteIT. Discussed strengthening bilateral ties, especially in trade & investment, inviting Italian SMEs to India to take advantage of low cost production, and cooperation in defence sector. #UNGA pic.twitter.com/MuVMVUA1LK
With the Emir of Qatar, Modi reviewed the full range of ties between India and Qatar. Bin Hamad also talked about the prime minister's efforts to make Yoga popular globally.
With the Maldivian president, Modi discussed progress on development partnership and cooperation in climate change.
In another tweet, Kumar said:
Using every opportunity to touch base with our neighbour PM @narendramodi had a good discussion with Maldivian President @ibusolih on the margins of #UNGA. Both leaders discussed progress on development partnership, and cooperation in climate change.
Using every opportunity to touch base with our neighbour
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 24, 2019
PM @narendramodi had a good discussion with Maldivian President @ibusolih on the margins of #UNGA. Both leaders discussed progress on development partnership, and cooperation in climate change. pic.twitter.com/78BZeZEfLy
Modi also met with Henrietta Fore, the Executive Director of United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and drew attention to the efforts made by his government with regard to the health and nutrition of the children of India.
The MEA spokesperson wrote on Twitter:
Ms. Henrietta Fore @unicefchief called on PM@narendramodi on the margins of #UNGA. PM underlined the efforts made by the Government towards health and nutrition of children in India through several focused initiatives.
Ms. Henrietta Fore @unicefchief called on PM @narendramodi on the margins of #UNGA. PM underlined the efforts made by the Government towards health and nutrition of children in India through several focused initiatives. pic.twitter.com/qj16FZQkbQ
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2019
On Sunday, Modi attended ‘Howdy Modi!’ event in Houston addressing over 50,000 people belonging to the Indian American community. The event was also addressed by President Donald Trump.
By Sowmya Sangam
