#G20Summit: PM Modi to discuss Pakistan-terror, could meet Trump
At the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MbS) on Friday. India is also expected to highlight terrorism in the region, especially the one sponsored by Pakistan, while the host country is expected to focus on south-south cooperation. PM Modi is also expected to meet US President Donald Trump and Japan PM Shinzo Abe.
India's top negotiator gives insight into the plans
India's Sherpa Shaktikanta Das said, "On Financial Action Task Force (FATF), leaders will spell out what kind of appeal or political message they would like to give. Not just passing laws to deal with terror, but the actual implementation of FATF principles by all countries."
Talk on terror amid Pakistan's inaction against Hafiz Saeed
India's stand comes amid the backdrop of Pakistan's failure to act against 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed, and the terrorist's will to contest the elections. Notably, PM Modi also discussed the same with US Vice President Mike Pence, earlier this month. US and India have been focusing on Pakistan's home-grown terror, with Trump, recently, saying Islamabad did 'nothing' for the US in all these years.
PM Modi to also talk about economic offenders, seek cooperation
Further, Das said India will also call for greater international cooperation to crack down on economic offenders, just as embattled businessmen Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya are staying in the UK, another G20 country. About the speculated meet with Trump, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said it wasn't confirmed yet and India was working on several bilateral meetings. PM Modi hasn't met Trump after India signed S-400 deal with Russia.
Notably, PM Modi hints his meeting with MbS was good
PM Modi tweeted pictures of his meeting with MbS. He wrote, "Had a fruitful interaction with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. We discussed multiple aspects of India-Saudi Arabia relations." Sources in PMO said the Kingdom is a valuable partner. "The relationship has expanded beyond the Indian community to issues related to the economy, energy, and security," the sources added.
PM Modi tweets about his 'fruitful' interaction
Separately, PM Modi says Yoga is uniting Argentina and India
Meanwhile, Trump cancels his meeting with Putin
Trump canceled his meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, citing the Ukraine crisis. The POTUS said Russia's decision to not release Ukraine ships and sailors, which were seized during a maritime confrontation between the countries on Sunday, was the reason he pulled out of the meet. "I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!" Trump tweeted.
