Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Italy late Thursday night to attend the 50th G7 Summit 2024 in the Apulia region from June 13 to 15.
This is Modi’s first international trip since starting his third term as PM after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Modi’s Agenda at the G7 Summit 2024
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni invited Narendra Modi, and he will participate in the G7 outreach session, held at the Fasano resort. The session will focus on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Leaders from Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia, and Turkey are also attending.
On Friday, Modi will engage in a busy day, including a summit session on ‘Artificial Intelligence, Energy, and Africa-Mediterranean,’ hosted by Meloni and joined by Pope Francis. He aims to create synergy between the G20 Summit outcomes and discuss crucial Global South issues.
Bilateral Meetings with World Leaders
Modi will hold bilateral talks with leaders like Meloni, US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
While there’s no planned meeting with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Modi might interact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Modi expressed his eagerness to meet world leaders and discuss improving global conditions. He highlighted the importance of strengthening the India-Italy partnership and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions.
India’s Absence at the Ukraine Peace Summit
India will not participate at the political level in the Ukraine peace summit on June 15-16. Instead, the secretary (West) from the Ministry of External Affairs and possibly the Indian ambassador to Switzerland will represent India.
India stresses the inclusion of Russia for lasting peace. Last August, NSA Ajit K Doval emphasized including Russian perspectives in peace solutions.
About 90 countries and organizations will attend the summit in Switzerland, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
