G20: Modi, other world leaders hold minute of silence for attacks in Paris, Ankara

ANTALYA: World leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi today observed one minute of silence here at the G20 Summit to pay tribute to the victims of terror attacks in Paris and Ankara.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoga requested one minute's silence at the start of the first Working Session of the Summit in memory of the terror attacks.

"Standing in solidarity. The G20 working session begins with a moment's silence for victims of Paris Attacks," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted while posting pictures of the participating world leaders.

The two-day Summit, which got underway today, was to discuss the issue of terror at a working dinner tomorrow, but the gruesome attacks in Paris on Friday night led to the issue coming to the centrestage from the very beginning.

At least 129 persons were killed in multiple attacks in the French capital, due to which France's President Francois Hollande had to cancel his plans to attend G20 Summit.

Besides, 102 people were killed in twin suicide bomb blasts in Turkish capital Ankara last month.

The G20 is a forum consisting of governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies which mainly discuss economic issues, but the issue of terrorism is high on the agenda at this year's meeting in this Turkish coastal resort town.