NEW DELHI:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
attended the 50th summit of Group of 7, or
G7 Summit
that took place in
Italy
between
June 13
and 14.
G7 is a group of nations comprising the
United States
, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, France and Canada, with the European Union (EU) being its non-enumerated member.
Represented by PM Modi, India was invited as an
outreach country
.
The Prime Minister attended the summit for the fifth consecutive year. This was also PM Modi’s first foreign visit after he took oath for the third term.
Italy, which has invited PM Modi for the G7 Summit Outreach Sessions, is India’s fourth-largest trading partner in the European Union, with bilateral trade currently standing at USD 15 billion.
At the summit, PM Modi participated in several outreach sessions on a range of issues. He also held bilateral talks with the counterpart of the host nation Georgia Meloni, Japan counterpart Fumio Kishida, French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
PM Modi also met US President Joe Biden and Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the summit.
Top developments:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the outreach session on artificial intelligence (AI), energy, Africa and the Mediterranean in Italy’s Apulia on Friday.
- The Prime Minister also stressed India’s commitment to advocating for the well-being of the Global South and highlighted the importance of Africa in global affairs. He said India has considered it its responsibility to put priorities and concerns of countries of the Global South on the world stage. He underlined India’s resolve to foster close ties with Africa and cited the landmark moment when the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency.
- PM Modi held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Italy and Japan after the conclusion of the G7 Summit’s outreach session in Italy’s Borgo Egnazia on Friday. He began the day holding back-to-back bilaterals with French President Emmanuel Macron, British PM Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Modi agreed to expand cooperation in the realms of AI, critical and emerging technologies, energy and sports, while working closely in the context of the forthcoming AI summit and
United Nations Oceans Conference, both to be hosted in France in 2025. Discussions included cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties. - PM Modi on Friday held a brief conversation with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau amid strained bilateral ties over the case relating to the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Modi also held a separate conversation with US President Joe Biden in Italy’s Apulia region.
- PM Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reiterating support for peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. PM Modi told Zelenskyu India will continue to do all it can within its means to facilitate a peaceful solution. This was the second time in succession that Modi met Zelenskyy at the G7.
- The Prime Minister also met United Nations Secretary General
Antonio Guterres in Italy on the sidelines of the summit on Friday night. “Pleased to meet the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, in Italy,” PM Modi wrote on X. - He also interacted with the leaders of Turkey, the UAE, Brazil and Jordan and struck a pose for the camera along with them on Friday. PM Modi had a “delightful conversation” with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
- PM Modi met Pope Francis during the summit. He later said in a post on X he admires the Pope’s commitment to serve people and make the planet better. Modi also invited him to visit India. The PM, in fact, had invited him to visit India in 2021 too when he met him during his visit to Italy for the G20 summit.
- PM Modi on Friday left for Delhi after concluding his day-long visit to Italy. He described his stint at the summit as “very productive”. “Had a very productive day at the G7 Summit in Apulia. Interacted with world leaders and discussed various subjects. Together, we aim to create impactful solutions that benefit the global community and create a better world for future generations,” PM Modi wrote in a post on X, after concluding the visit.
(With agencies input)
