Modi invites Turkey to participate in Indian economy

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the bilateral trade between Turkey and India needs to reflect the potential of the two economies.

"The strength of our economies presents an enormous opportunity to expand and deepen commercial linkages between our countries," Modi told the media after delegation level talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He expressed the need for the two governments to approach the entire spectrum of business opportunities in strategic and long-term manner.

"The businesses and industry on both the sides can do much more."

The Prime Minister also invited Turkish businesses to participate in infrastructure sector and the flagship programmes of the government.

The two sides held comprehensive discussion on the full spectrum of issues, particularly in political, economic and cultural spheres.

Modi and Erdogan also discussed the changing contours of the common security challenges such as global terrorism and called for action against those who finance, support and spread terrorism.

There can be no validation of terrorism, the Prime minister said.

According to Modi, India and Turkey discussed the need for comprehensive reforms in the UN, including the Security Council's expansion to make the organisation more representative, accountable and effective.

The two sides recognised the need for the UN Security Council to reflect the world of the 21st century and not of the centuries gone by.

Erdogan, who arrived here on Sunday, is on a two-day state visit to India.

Earlier, President Pranab Mukherjee and Modi received Erdogan at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome with a guard of honour.