China on mind, PM to stress on peace, stability at G7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia from May 19 to 24. He will be in the Japanese city of Hiroshima from May 19 to 21 for the G7 summit. The PM will speak at G-7 sessions on subjects such as peace, stability and prosperity of a sustainable planet, food fertiliser and energy security. Diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian that “PM Modi will use the opportunity to signal a strong message to China when he speaks on peace and stability in the world.” This will also be a message for the West amid the on-going Ukraine conflict. India wants an immediate end to war in Ukraine and resolution of the problems through dialogue and diplomacy. “Modi will be having a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida who is looking to counter China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific,” sources added. “Definitely, Chinese aggressive activities will figure during bilateral talks between PM Modi and Kishida. China’s aggressive behaviour along Line of Actual Control LAC with India will also be brought up by the PM during the talks,” sources said.

The Group of Seven (G-7) consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the European Union. According to sources, PM Modi will not hesitate to underline the need for showing respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations in what will be seen as another effective message for China by Indian leadership from the elite and powerful forum of G-7. “India expects other countries of the grouping to send out similar signals to Beijing,” sources said. PM Modi is visiting Hiroshima, Japan at the invitation of the Japanese premier. The G-7 summit is being held under Japan’s presidency. “Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with some of the participating leaders on the side-lines of the Summit,” said the Ministry of External Affairs here on Tuesday.

From Japan, Modi will then travel to Port Moresby where he will host the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation jointly with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape on May 22, the MEA said in a statement. On the third and final leg of the trip, Modi will visit Sydney in Australia from May 22 to 24 to attend the Quad summit.The summit, being hosted by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, will also be attended by US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.“The summit provides an opportunity for the leaders to exchange views about developments in the Indo-Pacific region and advance their vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,” the MEA said, adding, “PM Modi will have bilateral engagements in Papua New Guinea.”
In Australia, PM Modi will have a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 24 May. The PM will also interact with Australian CEOs and business leaders, and address the Indian diaspora at a community event in Sydney on 23 May.