PM Narendra Modi holds bilateral talks with Sheikh Hasina, others on CHOGM sidelines

London: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday had a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the multilateral Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

He met Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and had a "productive exchange of views on various issues of bilateral interest," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. This marked their first meeting since the Bangladeshi leader's visit to New Delhi last year and ahead of her proposed visit to India in the coming months.

Neighbourhood first! Connecting with a neighbour and a close friend, PM @narendramodi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Mrs. Sheikh Hasina had a productive exchange of views on various issues of bilateral interest on the sidelines of #CHOGM18. pic.twitter.com/xbQcBxPtCs — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 19, 2018

PM Modi also met  Seychelles President Danny Faure and discussed cooperation in areas of trade and investment and other bilateral issues, Kumar said. He also met his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and talked about cooperation in trade and investment, maritime cooperation and people-to-people ties.

Friend in an extended neighbourhood! PM @narendramodi and President of Seychelles, Danny Faure met on the sidelines of #CHOGM18 and discussed cooperation in areas of trade and investment and other bilateral issues. pic.twitter.com/REUhbyZXtV

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 19, 2018

The "pull-aside meetings" with world leaders included an interaction with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Gambian President Adama Barrow, Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, St Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Rick Houenipwela.

PM Modi also interacted with President of Kiribati Taneti Maamau, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Keith C Rowley.

"The summit offers ample opportunity for leaders to interact in meeting rooms for bilateral discussions on matters of mutual interest as well as cooperation over Commonwealth issues," a senior official said, as per PTI.

Strength in similar values of democracy, pluralism and Commonwealth traditions! PM @narendramodi met with Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull on the sidelines of #CHOGM2018 and discussed issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. pic.twitter.com/Oyben3G5BY — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 19, 2018

Bridging distance connecting with history! PM @narendramodi and Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Keith C. Rowley had a useful exchange of views on deepening bilateral relations on the sidelines of the #CHOGM18 in London. pic.twitter.com/IwdYz5TJ1I — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 19, 2018

Cementing our historic and close friendship with Mauritius! On the sidelines of #CHOGM18, PM @narendramodi and Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth talked about cooperation in trade and investment, maritime cooperation and people-to-people ties. pic.twitter.com/0GJoTX0t8J — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 19, 2018

Relations in upward trajectory! PM @narendramodi and President of Gambia, Adama Barrow met on the sidelines of #CHOGM18 and discussed steps to deepen partnership. pic.twitter.com/uEqbCZgzw9 — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 19, 2018

Meeting between friends! Keeping up with the traditional of frequent high level interactions, PM @narendramodi and President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni met on the sidelines of #CHOGM2018. pic.twitter.com/JF6m5WL3L2 — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 19, 2018

Sharing coffee, laughter and a vision! Pull-aside meetings with Prime Minister of Fiji Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of St. Lucia Allen Chastanet and Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Rick Houenipwela on the sidelines of #CHOGM2018. pic.twitter.com/z8XR9sMul8 — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 19, 2018

Shared vision common dreams! PM @narendramodi interacting with President of Kiribati Taneti Maamau and Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda Gaston Browne on the sidelines of #CHOGM18 in #London. pic.twitter.com/KApA4oLhPw — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 19, 2018

Officials had earlier indicated that no meeting has been requested or scheduled with Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and later confirmed there was no interaction between the two, the news agency further said.

The bilateral talks took place as the formal heads of government meeting got underway in London on Thursday, following a formal launch by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Towards a common, fairer, secure, sustainable and prosperous future! PM @narendramodi with Her Majesty the Queen, UK Prime Minister @theresa_may and other leaders of Commonwealth countries at the formal opening of the Summit at Buckingham Palace. pic.twitter.com/l3ZwBBRhMx — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 19, 2018

At the launch of the CHOGM executive session at Lancaster House open to the media, British Prime Minister Theresa May said, "The great strength of the Commonwealth is that all our members have equal status, an equal voice, and an equal right to make that voice heard. So, as we tackle these challenges, I want to hear from everyone, and everyone will have chance to speak. We face many challenges in the world today. But the Commonwealth is a unique organisation and, at this summit, we have an opportunity to deliver lasting change that benefits all of our 2.4 billion people."

An Indian Prime Minister is attending CHOGM, held every two years, after a hiatus of nearly a decade, having skipped CHOGMs in Perth, Colombo and Malta since 2009. 

(With PTI inputs)