Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India on Saturday after participating in the Group of Seven (G7) summit's outreach session in southern Italy. The event took place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in the Apulia region. This trip marked Modi’s first international visit since beginning his third term as prime minister.
During the G7 summit, Modi engaged in several productive bilateral meetings with global leaders. He described the recent Indian elections as “the biggest festival of democracy in the world” and celebrated his “historic victory” as a triumph for democracy and the global democratic community.
Expressing gratitude towards Italy, Modi said on X, "Together, we aim to create impactful solutions that benefit the global community and create a better world for future generations. I thank the people and government of Italy for their warm hospitality." He also emphasized the challenges and priorities of Global South countries, highlighting how they are significantly affected by global uncertainties and tensions.
The bilateral meetings
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Giorgia Meloni
As per the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Modi engaged in bilateral discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Their talks focused on trade, energy, defense and security cooperation, and telecommunications. Prime Minister Modi also expressed a desire to further enhance collaboration in the defense industry.
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Emmanuel Macron
During their fourth meeting within a year, Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron had an excellent discussion about strengthening their strategic alliance. This meeting marks Modi's first formal bilateral engagement with a world leader since he assumed office earlier this month.
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Joe Biden
Prime Minister Modi also had a separate meeting with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G7 summit. "It's always a pleasure to meet @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and the USA will continue working together for global good," Modi stated. This conversation took place nearly seven months after the US alleged an Indian connection to an attempted assassination of Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York.
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Rishi Sunak
During their meeting, PM Modi emphasized his desire to enhance the strategic partnership between India and the UK in his third term. He mentioned opportunities to deepen collaboration in semiconductors, technology, and trade, and to strengthen defense ties. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the meeting as "fruitful."
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy
In his discussion with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Modi emphasized that "dialogue and diplomacy" are key to peace, and India would continue to support peaceful resolutions in Ukraine. Modi stressed India's "human-centric" approach to the Ukrainian crisis. They also discussed the upcoming peace conference in Switzerland, with Zelenskyy thanking Modi for sending a high-level team to the event.
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Pope Francis
At the G7 Summit's Outreach session, PM Modi and Pope Francis shared a warm greeting. They, along with other leaders, discussed AI, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Modi had a light-hearted exchange with the Pope, who moved around the venue in a wheelchair. Modi invited the Pope to India, expressing admiration for his dedication. Modi and the BJP have been engaging with the Christian community, particularly in Kerala, ahead of general elections.
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Justin Trudeau
Modi held discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau amidst heightened tensions arising from the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. They exchanged greetings during their interaction, although specific details of their conversation have not been disclosed.
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Fumio Kishida
The Prime Minister also engaged with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. "Our countries are eager to collaborate in defense, technology, semiconductors, clean energy, and digital technology. We also aim to strengthen our ties in infrastructure and cultural exchanges," stated the PM.
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Olaf Scholz
In discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Modi highlighted the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and the potential of both nations to significantly contribute to global economic growth. Modi remarked, "Today's discussion with Chancellor Scholz was highly productive. The India-Germany Strategic Partnership can play a pivotal role in advancing inclusive and sustainable global growth," as reported on X.
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Other Leaders
During the G7 summit, PM Modi also met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and UAE’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Key points
During the Outreach session on AI and Energy in Africa and the Mediterranean, Prime Minister Modi underscored several key points:
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Inclusive Society: Modi stressed the importance of leveraging technology to create an inclusive society and address social inequality globally.
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Global Cooperation: He emphasized India's commitment to collaborating with other nations to ensure that artificial intelligence is accountable, transparent, equitable, safe, and accessible.
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Energy Strategy: India's energy strategy, as outlined by the Prime Minister, revolves around four core principles: acceptability, affordability, accessibility, and availability.
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Challenges of the Global South: Modi highlighted the unique challenges faced by nations in the Global South, particularly in the context of global unrest and tensions.
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Lok Sabha Elections: Reflecting on the recent Lok Sabha elections, Modi described the historic victory as a triumph of democracy and a testament to the faith bestowed upon India by its citizens.
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Scope of the Elections: He referenced the extensive scale of the elections, conducted in seven phases between April 19 and June 1, using specific statistics to underscore its magnitude.
Prime Minister Modi's address emphasized the importance of technological inclusivity, global cooperation in AI governance, and India's strategic energy principles, alongside acknowledging the democratic achievements and challenges faced by the Global South.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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