External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and United States President Donald Trump exchanged pleasantries during a high-level event on counter-narcotics hosted by the latter at the United Nations on Monday.
As Trump left the podium at the conclusion of the event, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley warmly hugged Swaraj and introduced her to the President.
When Swaraj told the US President that she has brought greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump responded, “I love India, give my regards to my friend PM Modi,” Indian diplomatic sources told PTI.
Swaraj attended the Global Call to Action on the World Drug Problem chaired by Trump as the high-level week of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly began here.
Sushma Swaraj and members of the Indian mission began the day by paying respects to the Indian flag at the UN before her scheduled participation in the High-Level Event on Counter-Narcotics convened by US President Donald Trump.
Sushma Swaraj and Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, the Foreign Minister of “close neighbour” Nepal, “took stock of our bilateral relationship” at their meeting, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
She also held a bilateral meeting with Federica Mogherini, the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
On the sidelines of the UNGA, her hectic schedule is expected to include a total of 30 one-on-one meetings with about 30 leaders and participation in several multilateral meetings, according to Dinesh K. Patnaik, the Joint Secretary, United Nations Political.
(With agency inputs)