Modi holds series of meetings with foreign dignitaries

Trade, economic ties and terror were the main issues discussed in the meetings Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with foreign dignitaries including Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on the margins of the "Vibrant Gujarat" Summit which begins tomorrow.

Modi, who arrived here this afternoon, discussed a wide variety of issues with the leaders of various delegations from UK, Japan, Singapore among others who are here to participate in the Summit.

Modi and Tobgay discussed security cooperation including in recent times, following the events in Assam where Bodo militants carried out attacks on tribals and killed 70 people.
"They agreed that cooperation and coordinating efforts is the best way to proceed," an official source said.

The two leaders also reviewed the hydro power projects and other development partnerships.

During his discussions with Janusz Piechocinski, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, they talked about the possibilities for defence cooperation through the 'Make in India' initiative as also the possibilities of cooperation in the mining sector, sources said.

Terror threats to open societies after what happened in Paris and Sydney recently and a trade pacts to boost commercial ties were some of the key issues deliberated during Modi's interactions with Lord Ian Livingston, British Minister of State for Trade and Investment and Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb.

Apart from ways to work on a comprehensive trade pact, Modi and Robb also discussed 'Make in India' initiative road show in Australia with more than 400 business delegation visiting eight cities, the sources said.

Trade ties were also focus of the meetings with Singapore and Japanese delegations. Modi and S Iswaran, Singapore's Second Minister for Trade and Industry talked about Prime Minister's ambitious smart city initiative while with Japanese State Minister for Economy, Trade & Industry Yosuke Takagi, the need to move quickly on doubling investment was taken up.