Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron, and World Bank President Ajay Banga could be seen sharing a light moment on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday (Nov 19). In a video posted on Mr Macron’s official X account, the French president is seen greeting PM Modi with a hug and exchanging pleasantries as Mr Banga chimes in with his oneliner, evoking laughter from two of the most powerful leaders of the planet.

In the clip, Mr Banga approaches the duo before turning to PM Modi and saying: “He [Macron] is going from one Indian to another”, evoking laughter from the two leaders. “He’s always there,” PM Modi could be heard replying.

Meanwhile, President Macron captioned the post as saying: “It is always a pleasure to meet with Prime Minister @NarendraModi, as our partnership with India is both rich and multifaced. We reviewed the progress on the initiatives launched during my State visit last January, as well as key international issues.”

It is always a pleasure to meet with Prime Minister @NarendraModi, as our partnership with India is both rich and multifaced.

We reviewed the progress on the initiatives launched during my State visit last January, as well as key international issues. pic.twitter.com/WSatqfqout

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 19, 2024

Who is Mr Banga?

Mr Banga is an Indian-born American business executive who has been serving as the chief of the World Bank since last year. Previously, he acted as the executive chairman of Mastercard from July 2010 to December 2020, holding president and CEO titles in between.

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Bilateral meeting

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to increase cooperation in space, energy, and AI. PM Modi also took to social media and congratulated Mr Macron for the successful hosting of the Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year.

“It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, President Emmanuel Macron. Complimented him on the successful hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year,” PM Modi posted on X.

“We talked about how India and France will keep working closely in sectors like space, energy, AI, and other such futuristic areas. Our nations will also work closely to enhance people-to-people linkages.”

It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, President Emmanuel Macron. Complimented him on the successful hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year. We talked about how India and France will keep working closely in sectors like space, energy, AI… pic.twitter.com/6aNxRtG8yP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 18, 2024

Apart from Mr Macron, PM Modi also bet Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and UK PM Keir Starmer on the sidelines in Rio. 

In a separate survey, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) is seen as the most trustworthy when it comes to managing the economy
| Photo Credit: AFP

France’s far right National Rally (RN) party and its allies are seen leading the first round of the country’s parliamentary elections with 35.5% of the vote, according to a poll published on June 23.

The Ipsos survey — conducted for Le Parisien newspaper and Radio France on June 19-20 — showed the left-wing New Popular Front (NPF) alliance in second place with 29.5% of the vote.

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French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance was seen in third place, winning 19.5% of votes.

The turnout rate is seen at between 60% and 64%, which would be much higher than the 47.5% seen at the last general election in June 2022.

The RN’s lead in polls ahead of the election that will take place in two rounds, on June 30 and July 7, is unlikely to win the party an absolute majority. Mr. Macron called the ballot after his alliance’s crushing defeat at EU elections earlier this month.

In a separate Ipsos survey, published by the Financial Times, the National Rally is seen as the most trustworthy when it comes to managing the economy and public finances.

According to the survey, 25% of respondents trust Marine Le Pen’s RN the most to take the right decisions on economic issues, versus 22% for the New Popular Front and 20% for Mr. Macron’s alliance.