PM Modi Meets UK’s Keir Starmer at G20, Focuses on Tech, Energy, Security, and Trade

Rio de Janeiro:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on Tuesday during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The two leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in key areas such as technology, green energy, security, innovation, and trade.

Modi, who had recently concluded a two-day visit to Nigeria before arriving in Rio, has held discussions with several global leaders at the summit, including those from Italy, Indonesia, Norway, and Portugal. He also met French President Emmanuel Macron to explore collaboration in space, energy, and artificial intelligence.

In his meeting with Starmer, Modi emphasized the importance of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK, calling it a priority for India. “We are eager to work closely with the UK in sectors like technology, green energy, security, and innovation. We also want to strengthen trade and cultural ties,” Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared that the meeting served to “infuse fresh impetus into the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and highlighted discussions on a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Earlier in the day, Modi met US President Joe Biden and briefly interacted with him, although the specifics of their conversation were not immediately disclosed. Modi also engaged with leaders from Brazil, Singapore, and Spain during the summit’s proceedings.