GLASGOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met his British counterpart Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the COP26 climate summit here and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas like green hydrogen, renewables and clean technology, economy and defence.
This was the first in-person meeting between Modi and Johnson following the British Prime Minister's twice cancelled visit to India earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The interaction, soon after the opening ceremony of the World Leaders' Summit at COP26, was scheduled to focus on the UK-India climate partnership as well as a review of the 2030 Roadmap for stronger UK-India strategic ties, signed by the two leaders during a virtual summit in May this year.
"We got the opportunity to talk about different subjects including mitigating climate change," Modi tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Johnson for successfully organising the COP26 and for his personal leadership in championing global action for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
He reiterated India's commitment to closely work with the UK on climate finance, technology, innovation and adaptation green hydrogen, renewables and clean technologies including joint initiatives under the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.
The two prime ministers reviewed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 priorities particularly in the trade and economy, people-to-people, health, defence and security areas.
They expressed satisfaction at the progress in delivering the Enhanced Trade Partnership including steps taken towards the launch of Free Trade Agreement negotiations, the release said.
Both leaders also discussed regional and global challenges including Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, Indo-Pacific, supply chain resilience and post-Covid global economic recovery.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated his desire to welcome Johnson in India soon, the release added.
According to official sources, the relatively short interaction focussed on exchanging views and taking stock of the bilateral relationship.
"Both governments remain committed to the implementation of the Roadmap, within prescribed timelines. Accordingly, we are looking to launch negotiations in November 2021 for an Interim Agreement to be signed in March 2022 and eventually a comprehensive agreement, if all goes according to schedule, by November 2022," India's High Commissioner to the UK, Gaitri Issar Kumar, said ahead of the prime ministerial talks.
The Modi-Johnson meet, dubbed an important bilateral of the UK leg of Modi's European tour, was followed by a leader-level COP26 event entitled Action and Solidarity: The Critical Decade, for which the UK had extended a special invitation for Modi to deliver an address on the subject of "adaptation".
Prime Minister Modi also tweeted about his interaction with Prince Charles.
"It is always a delight to interact with The Prince of Wales. His passion towards caring for the environment is outstanding. He is at the forefront of many efforts to further sustainable development," Modi wrote, adding that he had a great meeting with Charles in Glasgow.
Modi on Monday also interacted with several world leaders, including Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, on the sidelines of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.
In a series of photos tweeted by Prime Minister Modi, he is seen meeting Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders.
"From Rome to Glasgow, the interactions with Chancellor Merkel continue," Modi tweeted.
The two leaders held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome on Sunday.
Prime Minister Modi, who earlier in the day thanked his Australian counterpart Morrison for the recognition of Covaxin, also met him on the sidelines of the COP26 Climate Summit.
"Never a dull moment when you are meeting the one and only @ScottMorrisonMP," he tweeted.
In a picture, Modi is seen talking with Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa.
The two leaders are seen happy to be in each other's company.
"Happy to have met you here in Glasgow, President @GotabayaR," Modi tweeted.
Modi also met his Nepalese counterpart.
"Met PM @SherBDeuba in Glasgow. It is important we keep working together for sustainable development. He rightly highlighted the threat of climate change to the Himalayan region," Modi tweeted.
He also met with Charles, the Prince of Wales.
"His passion towards caring for the environment is outstanding. He is at the forefront of many efforts to further sustainable development. Had a great meeting with him in Glasgow," Modi tweeted.