Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met Saudi King Salman Al Saud as well as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the margins of the G20 Summit to discuss combating terrorism and other bilateral issues but a structured meeting with US President Obama did not take place.
Modi first met the host of the G20 Summit, Erdogan to discuss threat posed by terrorism and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two nations.
With Erdogan, Modi discussed economic cooperation, including in the 'Make in India' and 'Smart City' initiatives. "He sought Turkey's support for India's membership for four export control regime," foreign office spokesperson Vikas Swarup told reporters here.
He was referring to the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Australia Group, and the Wassenaar Arrangement.
Swarup added that UN Reform, civil nuclear cooperation, and cooperation in space and agricultural research also came up for discussion.
Modi followed it up with a meeting with Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, where terror again figured in talks. Cooperation in the areas of Railways modernisation, defence manufacturing, renewable energy and marine security were also discussed.
The Prime Minister termed the discussions "comprehensive" and "fruitful".
"Enhancing relations with a very dear friend from Middle East," he tweeted about his meeting with King Salman.
Swarup described Saudi Arabia as "a very important partner in the Gulf Region" as he posted photographs of the two leaders holding discussions.
However, there was no structured meeting with Obama.
"No there is no possibility of a meeting with the President Obama," Swarup said.
Modi and Obama were together at many working sessions at the two-day G20 Summit as well as dinner hosted by Erdogan.
"He has met him of course (at the Summit). There are various pull asides. What I mean is a structured bilateral meeting with President Obama has not happened. But they were together in the leaders lounge for over 45 minutes. They were together at lunch, they were together at dinner. So I am sure they have had conversations," Swarup said.
Modi had earlier tweeted that Obama had called him to greet on Diwali and they agreed to meet in Turkey on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
