JAI at G20: Modi holds trilateral meeting with Trump and Abe

Modi said the JAI meet discussed the Indo-Pacific, connectivity, infrastructure

Modi Trump Abe Reuters U.S President Donald Trump jokes about fist bumping with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the JAI trilateral meeting on the first day of the G20 summit | Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive discussions on the Indo-Pacific region, need for improving connectivity and infrastructure development with US President Donald Trump and Japanese premier Shinzo Abe in Osaka on Friday ahead of the formal opening of the G20 Summit.

During the Japan-America-India trilateral meeting, Modi highlighted "the importance India attaches to" the grouping.

"Committed to a better future. Meeting of JAI (Japan-America-India) trilateral takes place in Osaka. PM @AbeShinzo welcomes the leaders. @POTUS congratulates Prime Ministers Modi and Abe for their electoral victories. PM Modi highlights the importance India attaches to JAI," the prime minister's office tweeted.

"Today's meeting of the JAI trilateral was a productive one. We had extensive discussions on the Indo-Pacific region, improving connectivity and infrastructure development. Grateful to PM @AbeShinzo and President @realDonaldTrump for sharing their views as well," Modi tweeted later.

Later, Modi met Trump separately.

On Thursday, Modi held wide-ranging talks with Abe on the global economy, issues of fugitive economic offenders and disaster management.

Modi will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Putin and other leaders during the G20 summit on Friday and Saturday.

This will be Modi's sixth G20 Summit.