G7 Summit: PM Modi Heads To Italy, Potential Bilateral Meet With Meloni

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Italy to attend the 50th G7 Summit. During his trip, Modi is anticipated to have a bilateral meeting with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This will mark his first international journey since beginning his third consecutive term in office.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said today, “At the invitation of Prime Minister of Italy (Giorgia Meloni), Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be traveling to Apulia, Italy tomorrow to participate in the 50th G7 Summit which is to be held there on 14th June where India has been invited as an Outreach Country.”

He added, “This will be the prime minister’s first overseas travel after assuming office in his third consecutive term. It will also allow him to engage with other world leaders present at the G7 Summit on issues of importance to India as also to the Global South.”

Kwatra mentioned that this will mark India’s 11th time participating in the G7 Summit and the fifth consecutive participation by Prime Minister Modi.

“Prime Minister’s participation in the G7 Summit would also provide a timely opportunity to follow up on outcomes of the G20 Summit held under India’s presidency last year and deliberate on issues which are significant for the Global South.”

“At this Session, the focus would be on Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It will be a block agenda item where the G7 and the Outreach Countries will share their views and perspectives…” the foreign secretary said.

The G7 summit

The G7 summit will take place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13 to 15.

The G7 includes the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan. Notable attendees include US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also participate in a session addressing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza are expected to be major topics of discussion at the summit.