As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the French city of Biarritz ahead of G7 Summit, he met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and held talks on a wide range of issues on Sunday

PM Modi met Guterres on the sidelines of the G7 summit at the picturesque French seaside town, where PM Modi arrived after a visit to Bahrain. Though India is not a member of G7 countries, he has been personally invited by French President Emmanuel Macron. At the summit, Modi is likely to speak on burning global issues of environment, climate and digital transformation.

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“PM Narendra Modi met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. The two leaders held discussions on a wide range of subjects. They exchanged views on India’s participation at the Climate Action Summit at the UN and other issues of mutual interest,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

PM @narendramodi met with UNSG @antonioguterres on the margins of #G7 summit in Biarritz. Good exchange of views on India’s participation at the Climate Action Summit at the UN and other issues of mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/U33JNg0wx7

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 25, 2019

Following his meeting with the UN general secretary, PM Modi also attended the G7 Leaders’ Dinner in Biarritz, where he was welcomed by the French President and the First Lady Brigitte Macron. Raveesh Kumar also tweeted pictures of PM Modi interacting with other world leaders present at the dinner.

PM @narendramodi welcomed by the French President @EmmanuelMacron and First Lady Brigitte Macron at the @G7 Leaders’ Dinner in Biarritz. pic.twitter.com/fDLT0k8rAW

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 25, 2019

PM @narendramodi interacting with other leaders ahead of the @G7 and Biarritz Partner Leaders’ Dinner in Biarritz. pic.twitter.com/TZUr7srchd

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 25, 2019

Earlier this month, Guterres had urged India and Pakistan to exercise “maximum restraint” and refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir. He had also highlighted the Simla Agreement which rejects any third-party mediation on the issue after Islamabad asked him to play his “due role” following New Delhi’s decision on Kashmir.

Prime Minister Modi is also likley to discuss the Kashmir issue with US President Donald Trump who will also be attending the G7 Summit. Earlier this week in Washington, Trump said that he would discuss with Modi the situation in Kashmir and help ease the India-Pakistan tensions when they meet at the G7 Summit.

A rare closed-door consultation on Kashmir by the UN Security Council ended without any outcome or statement, dealing a huge snub to Pakistan and its all-weather ally China. An overwhelming majority emphasised Kashmir is a bilateral matter between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Tensions between India and Pakistan spiked after the Centre abrogated provisions of Article 370 to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories on August 5. India has categorically told the international community that Kashmir is its internal matter.