Modi raises Scorpene data leak with Hollande

On the second and final day of the summit in this east Chinese city, Modi held separate ‘pull-aside’ meetings with Hollande and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with whom he discussed India’s NSG membership. Prior to those meetings, Modi met Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May and held discussions on ‘building opportunities’ in the aftermath of UK’s decision to exit the European Union. In his meeting with Hollande, Modi raised the leak of sensitive data related to Scorpene Class submarines. In his meeting with Erdogan, the Prime Minister discussed the issue of India’s membership of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Swarup said. 

The discussion with Erdogan on NSG was significant as Turkey was among the few countries — along with China — which had stalled India’s bid to join the elite grouping at its plenary meeting in June in Seoul. With May, the Prime Minister underlined that even after UK’s exit from the EU, “Britain remains an important partner” for India. “May also referred to the recent passage of GST (bill) which would further boost trade and investment ties with the UK. She supported PM’s reform agenda and the UK is keen to participate in Make in India, Smartcity and Skill India initiatives,” he said. “Modi also touched upon UK’s visa policy. In particular he said that the new UK regulations could have negative impact on Indian working professionals wishing to visit UK for short term business visits,” the sources said.