Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met a number of world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome. He met United States President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau among others. PM Modi was invited to the summit by his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi, with whom he held extensive discussions on diversifying the bilateral ties and to work together towards a more environment-friendly planet. Modi also held “productive discussions” on strategic bilateral ties and on a range of issues of mutual and global interests with Macron. The meeting came more than a month after the two leaders held a telephonic conversation, amidst Paris’ strong criticism of the AUKUS (Australia-UK-US) security partnership. The Prime Minister also interacted with Biden, who hosted Modi at the White House on September 24 for their first in-person meeting, and other leaders. Modi also became the first Indian PM to meet Pope Francis in a “very warm meeting”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during the family photo of the G20 summit. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with France President Emmanuel Macron at the G20 Italy Summit in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, is greeted by Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi during arrivals at the La Nuvola conference center for the G20 summit in Rome. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the members of the Indian diaspora in Italy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi With US President Joe Biden at the G20 Italy Summit in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, exchanges gifts with Pope Francis on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.