Modi meets British PM, seeks cooperation for early extradition of Vijay Mallya

ED takes possession of Rs 100 crore farm house of Vijay Mallya
ED takes possession of Rs 100 crore farm house of Vijay Mallya

HAMBURG: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met British Prime Minister Theresa May on the sidelines of G20 Summit and sought “cooperation” for extradition of fugitive business tycoon Vijay Mallya.

“PM @narendramodi meets UK PM @theresa_may on sidelines of #G20. Asks for UK’s cooprn for return of escaped Indian economic offenders,” MEA spokesman Gopal Baglay said in a tweet.

The Prime Minister also met Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and South Korean President Moon Jae-in and discussed ways to boost bilateral ties and cooperation at the global level.

On June 13, the owner of now  defunct Kingfisher Airlines Mallya was extended bail by the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London till December 4.

Mallya has claimed he has enough evidence to prove his innocence in a loan default case of around Rs 9,000 crore.

The delay in getting Mallya extradited to India has often turned into a major political controversy.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, the Prime Minister met today President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in. Mr Moon recalled the Prime Minister’s congratulatory phone call and tweet in Korean language, which was warmly received by the people of South Korea, a MEA statement said.

Both leaders expressed their commitment to further develop the special strategic partnership between India and South Korea. Mr Modi invited President Moon to visit India at an early date. “The invitation was accepted,” the MEA said.

Prime Minister Modi’s discussions with Prime Minister of Italy Paolo Gentolini focussed on promoting bilateral relations, particularly trade and investment and people-to-people ties.

“Prime Minister Modi invited Italy’s participation in World Food India – the food processing exhibition  to be held in India in November this year. The two leaders stressed the significance of promoting interaction between medium enterprises of the two countries for strengthening bilateral economic cooperation,” the official statement said.

The Prime Minister of Italy appreciated Indian investments in his country, including in industrial sector.

Mr Modi also met Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg and discussed bilateral matters, especially strengthening of economic relations.

Mr Modi invited participation of Norwegian pension funds in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.

The Prime Minister of Norway invited India to participate in the Oceans’ Conference on the sidelines of UNGA.

In a gesture symbolising cooperation for attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Mr Solberg presented to Prime Minister Modi, at the end of the meeting, a football with SDGs inscribed on it.

(AGENCIES)