Narendra Modi in Australia, Day – 2 (Pics/video/reports)

Brisbane, 15 November 2014

The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

Australian PM suggests G20 leaders use first names

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott asked G20 leaders in Brisbane Saturday to use first names to show “personal warmth” and to “speak from the heart, not from notes” to make the summit the best it can be.

Abbott made the remarks at the opening of the leaders’ retreat ahead of the formal G20 sessions in which the leaders were given five minutes each to talk about any issues they wished.

“The only rules are if we can speak from our heart rather than from a script that would be good,” he said.

“If we could use first names, that would be good as well because, whatever disagreements we might have, it helps if there can at least be personal warmth amongst us,” Abbott said.

Abbott said the world was looking at G20 leaders to demonstrate their ability to boost economic growth and create more jobs, according to Xinhua.

“That’s our challenge, to leave this G20 meeting in 48 hours and instil more confidence in the people of the world,” he said.

“We may not always be able to agree but I hope we can at least be open with each other over this time,” he said.

‘G20 to focus on economic growth, infrastructure and tax avoidance’

Boosting global economic growth, encouraging private sector investment in infrastructure, and cracking down on multinational companies which avoid tax were the top issues on the G20 agenda, Australian Treasure Joe Hockey said Saturday.

Hockey, who is chair of the G20 finance ministers, made these remarks before finance ministers of G20 nations gathered for a special meeting, just before the world leaders summit.

He said the G20 began with the aim of shaping the international agenda to discuss economic and financial issues, and there were three major priorities on the agenda.

“We have set an ambitious target of the two percent (over the next five years) and we will strive damn hard to achieve that target and there is a positive plan that comes out of that,” Hockey said.

In relation to infrastructure, Hockey said it was at the G20 finance ministers meeting that member states decided to fund the massive infrastructure needed around the world over the next few decades through a better partnership with the private sector.

“The global infrastructure initiative, which we will be recommending to the leaders today is a very positive step forward, ” he said.

“The infrastructure plan has received widespread support from many multilateral organisations, especially the World Bank.”

Hockey said the other issue on the agenda was stopping large multinational companies from avoiding paying tax through base erosion and profit shifting.

“The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has done a terrific job in relation to that. We are only half way through and we will ensure it is dealt with before the end of Turkey’s leadership,” he said.

Hockey praised the Financial Stability Board, for its effort on focusing on the challenges of financial regulations and focusing on implementing changes, and was confident real outcomes will be achieved over the weekend’s discussions.

“We will discuss the state on the global economy at the moment, and it will be a genuine and honest discussion, and I’m very confident that by the end of the weekend we will be able to give a message of hope and aspiration to the world,” Hockey said.

BRICS leaders meet on sidelines of G20 summit

The leaders of the BRICS countries met here Saturday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit.

The leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Jacob Zuma and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, are expected to discuss enhancing cooperation among the BRICS countries, Xinhua reported.

“Namaste! Leaving for my first programme, the Informal BRICS meeting,” tweeted Prime Minister Modi.

The meeting was held hours ahead of the G20 Summit slated for Nov 15-16.

Modi meets Hollande, calls for common fight against terror

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Francois Hollande on the margins of the G20 summit here Saturday and the two leaders expressed keenness to extend economic ties.

Modi spoke of global cooperation against terror and stressed on a common strategy between states.

“Success against global terror is within reach if states adopt common strategy — PM @narendramodi to Prez @fhollande,” said a tweet by ministry of external affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin.

Earlier in the day, Modi had addressed the G20 Retreat, where he stressed that reforms must be people-centric and people-driven.

Repatriation of black money, BRICS bank key priorities: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the repatriation of black money kept abroad was a key priority and called for “close coordination” on the issue during an informal meeting of the five-nation BRICS leaders here ahead of the G20.

The prime minister told the leaders of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa that “repatriation of unaccounted money kept abroad is a key priority for us”, according to tweets posted by the external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

Modi also said that BRICS should set 2016 as the target for the inauguration of the BRICS Bank.

The ministry of external affairs, tweeting about the speech, wrote: “At BRICS meet ahead of G-20 PM @narendramodi calls for ‘Close coordination on unaccounted money kept abroad’.”

“Unaccounted money abroad is also linked to security challenges – PM @narendramodi ahead of G-20 Summit in Brisbane,” said the MEA tweet.

In his departure statement Nov 11 before leaving on his tour to Myanmar, Australia and Fiji, the prime minister had said that he will highlight the importance of global cooperation against black money at the G20, which kicks off here Saturday.

The informal meeting of BRICS is an event held on the sidelines of the G20.

He thanked Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff for hosting the BRICS Leaders’ Meeting and congratulated her on her re-election.

Referring to the Sixth BRICS Summit held at Fortaleza, Brazil in July, Modi said it had “delivered – the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement”.

“These signal our collective capacities to create and manage global institutions. These can be effective in promoting sustainable development and bridge infrastructure gaps. We can be more aligned to local conditions and requirements. We should focus on next generation infrastructure,” he said, according to an official statement.

He said: “We can promote new models of governance and financing, while maintaining the highest banking standards. We should also make it more participatory and urged towards its early implementation. We propose that we should set the target of 2016 for inauguration of this Bank.”

“We hope to ratify the agreement by the end of the year. We would soon nominate our candidate for the post of the Presidency. The Contingent Reserve Arrangement is also a very timely initiative.

“The work on the Reinsurance pool among BRICS is also a welcome one. We hope that our officials will be able to come up with a concrete proposal by the next year.”

These measures send a strong message to the rest of the world about the efficacy of BRICS.

“Besides these, we have started work on many other proposals that would deepen our relations and enhance our cooperation in all spheres,” he said.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Modi warmly shook hands with Rousseff, who won a tough re-election last month, smiled and chatted with Russian President Vladimir Putin who is slated to come to New Delhi next month for the annual summit, and also with Chinese President XI Jinping, who came to India in September.

He also chatted with South African President Jacob Zuma.

Opening Statement by Prime Minister at BRICS Leaders’ Meeting in Brisbane, Australia (November 15, 2014)

Your Excellency President Dilma Rousseff,

Your Excellency President Vladimir Putin,

Your Excellency President Xi Jinping,

Your Excellency President Jacob Zuma,

·I wish to join my other colleagues and congratulate President Dilma Rousseff on her re-election as the President of Brazil.

·From Brazil to Brisbane, it has been most successful journey under your leadership.

·Our group will continue to benefit from your visionary leadership.

·I would also like to thank President Rousseff for hosting today’s meeting.

·The historic 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza delivered – the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement.

·These signal our collective capacities to create and manage global institutions.

·These can be effective in promoting sustainable development and bridge infrastructure gaps. We can be more aligned to local conditions and requirements. We should focus on next generation infrastructure.

·We can promote new models of governance and financing, while maintaining the highest banking standards. We should also make it more participatory.

·We need to work towards their early implementation.

·We propose that we should set the target of 2016 for inauguration of this Bank.

·We hope to ratify the agreement by the end of the year. We would soon nominate our candidate for the post of the Presidency.

·The Contingent Reserve Arrangement is also a very timely initiative.

·The work on the Reinsurance pool among BRICS is also a welcome one. We hope that our officials will be able to come up with a concrete proposal by the next year.

·These measures send a strong message to the rest of the world about the efficacy of BRICS.

·Besides these, we have started work on many other proposals that would deepen our relations and enhance our cooperation in all spheres.

Thank You.

PM Modi arrives at G20 Summit venue in Brisbane

Group Photo of G20 heads

Modi charmed by cuddly koala at G20

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was charmed by a special Australian welcome – a cuddly koala bear.

The grey cuddly bundle was brought up to the Indian prime minister by an Australian official backstage at the G20 when the leaders were taking a break.

Modi with a big smile patted the koala bear as Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott looked on smilingly next to him.

Modi was not the only one to be charmed by the Australian marsupial, or pouched mammal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, a wildlife lover, cuddled a koala too.

Putin picked up a koala bear in his arms, while Abbott held one in similar fashion backstage at the G20 summit.

US President Barack Obama and Abbott posed with koala bears in their arms.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel too “tangled” with a koala backstage, as the Herald Sun put it.

The spouses of many of the world leaders visited the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane and were equally impressed by the marsupial, which has round fluffy ears and a large spoon-shaped nose.

While the G20 leaders were in retreat, Abbott’s wife Margie Abbott led a handful of G20 leaders’ wives through a wildlife sanctuary where they were treated to the ultimate Aussie experience – koala cuddling.

The women held koalas and hand-fed some kangaroos while touring Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Saturday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s wife Peng Liyuan and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s wife Laureen were among the first ladies who fed kangaroos, cuddled cute koala bears and watched a sheep shearing show over morning tea.

The wives of leaders from Canada, China, the European Union, Indonesia, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, the OECD and the United Nations participated in the morning outing.

Koala bears, which sleep for up to 20 hours a day and feed on a diet of special eucalyptus leaves, are notoriously capricious. Hence, park officials had been training the animals how to behave ahead of the high-status visit, said RT.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, founded in 1927, is home to more than 130 koalas and a wide variety of native animals.

Koalas, which are not actually bears but rather marsupials that carry their young in a pouch, are an iconic symbol of Australia.

Among the other spouses of world leaders who cuddled koalas were Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s wife Iriana Joko Widodo, and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s wife Sare Davutoglu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi bilateral meeting with PM Canada’s Stephen Harper

Good relations with Canada a priority: Modi to Harper

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper on the margins of the G20 summit here Saturday and emphasised on strong ties between the two countries.

“Good relations with Canada are a priority for India — PM @narendramodi,” ministry of external affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin tweeted, citing Modi.

Modi also met the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Indian prime minister is in Brisbane for the G20 summit, featuring the world’s major economies.

Earlier in the day, he also met the BRICS leaders and addressed the G20 retreat. Modi also met French President Francois Hollande and attended a barbeque lunch thrown by the host, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Modi had stressed on the repatriation of black money and a people-centric and people-driven reform process in meetings earlier in the day.

MEA briefing

PM’s intervention at the informal meeting of BRICS leaders, and bilateral engagements in Brisbane

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today said repatriation of unaccounted money from abroad was a key priority for his Government. He was making an intervention at the meeting of BRICS leaders ahead of the G20 summit in Brisbane. He said unaccounted money abroad posed both economic and security challenges.

The Prime Minister said this G20 meeting was happening in the shadow of continued weak global economic growth. He said political turbulence in many parts of the world, and the Ebola pandemic were also factors of concern. Therefore, he said, there is need for a positive environment to achieve economic goals, and G20 can support this effort. He said there is a strong need to give a message to revive economic confidence and boost growth and job creation.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the need for better international policy coordination, and the need to reform global economic institutions. He suggested the creation of a digital hub for sharing of information and best practices for infrastructure.

The Prime Minister also held bilateral meetings with the President of France, Mr. Francois Hollande, and the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper. This was the first time he met both leaders, and both of them invited him to visit their countries. The Prime Minister has accepted both invitations. In his meeting with Mr. Harper, he condemned the recent attack on the Canadian Parliament. In both meetings, the Prime Minister reiterated his stand that religion should be delinked from terrorism.