Newly elected PM Modi is in Italy on his first foreign trip for the G7 summit after taking oath for the third term. The Prime Minister is expected to interact and meet several other world leaders during the summit.
Announcing his presence at the summit, the PM wrote on X, “Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and promote international cooperation for a brighter future.” Before leaving for Italy, PM Modi said he is “grateful” for his first foreign trip in his third straight term as he visited the country on the invitation of the G7 summit.
PM Modi at G7 Summit: What to expect?
- PM Modi highlighted India’s focus on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa and the Mediterranean during the G7 summit’s outreach session to discuss important issues concerning the global south. India hosted the G-20 summit in Delhi in September last year, which was attended by leaders from Apulia meeting under the Italian presidency, where Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will welcome PM Modi on Friday as the President of Italy’s Council of Ministers.
- Italy, as the current G7 chair, is hosting the summit of the bloc comprising major advanced economies such as Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, the US and the EU. India received an invitation from Italy to attend the summit as an outreach country, marking PM Modi’s fifth consecutive appearance and India’s tenth overall participation in the G7 summit.
- According to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, PM Modi is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and is expected to meet US President Joe Biden during the summit. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is a key focus at the summit, which is being attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- India advocates dialogue and diplomacy, while others like Sunak call for firm support for Ukraine. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra referred to Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on a peaceful solution, which reflects India’s commitment to share its vision with global leaders during the summit.
- Italian Prime Minister Meloni in her opening address to the G7 leaders on Thursday underlined the selection of southern Italy as the summit venue to send a strong message to the global south. The G7 leaders who attended the meeting on Thursday included UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel.
- Along with India, Italy has invited leaders of 11 developing countries from Africa, South America and the Indo-Pacific region to attend the G7 summit.
