Modi to meet French President, Jordan King for bilateral talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet French President François Hollande and Jordan King Abdullah II for bilateral meetings here. In both meetings, likely to take place on September 24, Syrian crisis and west Asian situation will come up for discussion along with other bilateral issues, sources said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet French President François Hollande and Jordan King Abdullah II for bilateral meetings here. In both meetings, likely to take place on September 24, Syrian crisis and west Asian situation will come up for discussion along with other bilateral issues, sources said.

French President Francois Hollande shakes hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a joint statement in Paris on April 10, 2015.(AFP File Photo)

India has a common cause with countries like France and Jordan on the continuing Syrian crisis which for New Delhi has larger implications with millions of Indians working in West Asia and North Africa.

India is also concerned about the growing security challenges from the Islamic State. Syria has been appreciative of India’s stand on Syrian crisis, calling for a political dialogue for a solution factoring in the aspiration of the Syrian people.

But Russia and the West continue to differ on the Syrian crisis. The US has been expressing growing concern over Russia backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad militarily. On its part Russia is pushing the western and regional powers to join hands with Assad to fight the militants rather than still focusing on his removal.

In the meeting, French president is set to reiterate his country’s support for India to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The two leaders will also discuss a wide range of bilateral issues.

Modi will meet Jordan king and the President where they are staying. But there is no clarity on where US President Obama will meet Modi on September 28, though it could possibly be either in New York Palace hotel where the US President is staying or at the United Nations.