April 20, 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin tonight. He will arrive in Berlin tonight after attending Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London.
Along with top leaders of Commonwealth countries, Mr Modi today attended the CHOGM retreat session at the Windsor Castle in London.
Earlier yesterday at the CHOGM, Prime Minister underlined the importance of looking at the concerns of the small and island states. India announced a number of initiatives in the direction through doubling of contribution for Common Fund for Sustainable Development Goals, taking up small projects in the small and island countries, capacity building and training programmes in areas including trade, cricket and skill development.
Briefing media in London last night, after the formal executive sessions, Secretary West, Ministry of External Affairs, Ruchi Ghanshyam said that, India focused on achieving sustainable development goals and climate change issues during its interventions at the CHOGM. Prime Minister Modi emphasised the need for catering the interests of small states like trade, youth and concerns on crime, skill and training needs.
During a series of bilateral interactions that the Prime Minister held with leaders of various member-countries including Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, Gambia, Trindad and Tobago and Mauritius mainly focussed on development, maritime and security concerns of the small states.
Mr Modi will interact with the Commonwealth leaders another time during the retreat of the CHOGM where the leaders will interact on a number of issues on an informal manner. The Prime Minister will continue his bilateral interactions with leaders of member countries. (AIR News)
