PM Modi meets Trump, Putin ahead of G20 summit

Holds bilaterals with President Xi, Saudi Crown Prince

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister Theresa May ahead of the G-20 summit.

The brief exchange of views took place before the first trilateral meeting between Mr. Modi, Mr. Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe scheduled for later in the day.

According to a picture tweeted by External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, Mr. Modi was seen clasping the hand of Mr. Trump and talking to the U.S. President.

Prime Minister Modi also interacted with President Putin.

"Catching up with other #G20 leaders from Russia, Italy and U.K. at the Leaders' Lounge," Mr. Kumar tweeted, referring to Prime Minister's interactions with President Putin, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Later, Mr. Modi joined other world leaders for a 'G-20 Argentina Family' photo.

"PM @narendramodi joins the world leaders for #G20Argentina Family Photo," Mr. Kumar tweeted

Earlier, Mr. Modi held separate bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi discussed joint efforts to further enhance mutual trust and friendship. Asserting that the Wuhan meet was a milestone in India-China ties, Mr. Modi told Mr. Xi that he was looking forward to host him for an informal summit next year.

Mr. Modi assured Mr. Guterres, that India will play its “due and responsible” role at the crucial climate change negotiations in Poland next week.

During Mr. Modi’s meeting with Crown Prince Salman, the two leaders decided to set up a mechanism to scale up the oil-rich kingdom’s investments in energy, infrastructure and defence sectors in India.

Crown Prince Salman said Saudi Arabia will be finalising an initial investment in the National Infrastructure Fund.