PM Modi meets EU leaders, discusses on strengthening joint effort to counter terrorism

BUENOS AIRES: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here and discussed ways to strengthen the India-EU relations, including joint effort to counter terrorism in all forms.

India and EU had vowed to step up cooperation in effectively dealing with terrorism, extremism and radicalisation during the India-EU annual counter terrorism and political dialogue held in Brussels in November.

Both the sides had agreed to find ways to enhance cooperation to counter violent extremism and radicalisation as well as to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats.


"A wonderful interaction with President of @EU_Commission, @JunckerEU & @eucopresident Donald Tusk. Our talks revolved around enhancing friendship between India and EU. We also discussed aspects relating to eliminating the menace of terrorism," Modi tweeted.



Earlier, following Modi's meeting with the two EU leaders, External Affairs spokesperson Ravish Kumar had tweeted, "PM @narendramodi held a meeting with President of @EU_Commission @JunckerEU & @eucopresident Donald Tusk on margins of #G20Summit. Discussion focused on strengthening India-EU relations, including joint effort to counter terrorism in all forms."



Modi and Merkel exchanged views on importance of multilateralism in a rapidly changing world and the need to strengthen cooperation in counter terrorism.

"Met Chancellor Merkel at Buenos Aires. We reviewed the full range of relations between India and Germany. Our countries are cooperating extensively for the benefit of our citizens and working together towards world peace as well as stability," Modi tweeted.

Following the prime minister's meet with Merkel, Kumar tweeted, "Strengthening strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on the sidelines of #G20Summit. Leaders exchanged views on importance of multilateralism in a rapidly changing world and the need to strengthen cooperation in counter terrorism."