 "G7 in Italy: Four days after taking charge, PM Modi's first foreign visit on cards. What can we expect?")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Italy on Thursday to attend the 50th G7 leaders’ summit, marking his first trip abroad after assuming charge for a third term. This summit, to be held in the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia in Italy’s Apulia region from 13 to 15 June, will be dominated by discussions on pressing global issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Accompanied by a high-level delegation, Modi will participate in an outreach session on 14 June, focusing on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
What are key items on the agenda?
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, on Wednesday, emphasised that the G7 summit’s agenda will include a range of critical topics. “It will be a bloc agenda item where the G7 and the Outreach Countries would share their views and perspectives,” he said.
The G7 under Italy’s presidency has outlined several key priorities: the conflict in Russia-Ukraine and the Middle East, relationships with developing nations with a focus on Africa and the Indo-Pacific, migration and its links to climate and food security, and artificial intelligence.
“India’s regular participation at the G7 summit clearly points to increasing recognition and contribution of the efforts that India has been making in trying to resolve global challenges, including those of peace, security, development, and environment preservation,” Kwatra stated.
He also noted the significance of India’s role in the context of its recent G20 presidency, where India led in building global consensus on various contentious issues. “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,” Kwatra added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWhat bilateral meetings will Modi hold?
On the sidelines of the G7 summit, Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni. Their last meeting occurred during the COP28 Summit in Abu Dhabi in December 2023. “In the meeting with the Prime Minister of Italy, the two PMs are expected to review the entire gamut of bilateral ties and give directions for next steps,” Kwatra explained.
The India-Italy relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership in March 2023, with a focus on defence, the Indo-Pacific, energy, and science and technology. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) announced during India’s G20 Leaders’ summit on 9 and 10 September last year, of which Italy is a founder-partner may also be discussed.
Other significant bilateral meetings are being scheduled, although details are still being finalised. Modi will have the opportunity to discuss plans for his new term with leaders from the G7 and other invited Outreach Countries such as Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, and the UAE.
What about the Russia-Ukraine & Israel-Hamas wars?
The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas war are expected to be significant topics of discussion. Kwatra reiterated India’s stance on these conflicts, highlighting the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.
“Naturally, Russia-Ukraine conflict is one of them… We have always maintained that dialogue and diplomacy is the best option. You would recall the Prime Minister’s own statement that today is not an era of war, which found widespread appreciation and recognition,” he said.
Also Read: What’s on the agenda at G7? Why has India been invited once again?
The impact of these conflicts on global food, fuel, and fertilizer availability, as well as challenges to global supply chains and economic disruptions, will be addressed. “We have always been at the forefront to talk about not just the conflict, the need for dialogue and diplomacy but also the way the conflict is impacting the priorities and interests of the developing countries,” Kwatra added.
While most of the G-7 leadership, except for United States President Joe Biden, will travel directly from Apulia to the Swiss town of Burgenstock for a peace conference on Ukraine , India has yet to announce the level of its participation. Despite multiple appeals and visits by Swiss and Ukrainian Ministers requesting Modi’s attendance or the deputation of a Minister, sources have indicated that India will participate at an “official but not political level.”
“India will be participating at the Peace summit in Switzerland on [June] 15th,” said Kwatra when asked for a response. “That consideration is currently going on in the system, and as soon as we have a decision on the representative from India who will be participating, we will be happy to share that with you,” he added.
Which are the crucial bilaterals to look out for?
Modi’s visit will also include significant interactions with other world leaders. Biden is expected to meet Modi on the sidelines of the summit.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan mentioned, “He (Biden) expects to see Prime Minister Modi here. It’s up to the Indians to formally confirm his attendance, but our expectation is that the two of them will have the opportunity to encounter one another. The nature of that encounter is still fluid because so much of the schedule is fluid.”
One highly anticipated meeting is with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, especially given the tense ties between India and Canada over allegations involving an Indian official in a plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader. Sullivan addressed this issue, stating, “We have made our views known on this issue, and it will be a continuing topic of dialogue between the US and India, including at very senior levels.”
Any interaction between Modi and Trudeau will be closely watched. The Khalistan issue has already sparked controversy after a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, due to be inaugurated in the town of Brindisi not far from the G7 venue, was defaced with graffiti hailing the slain separatist leader.
Kwatra called the vandalisation of the statue “deplorable” and criticised Canada for providing political space to anti-India elements advocating extremism and violence. “The main issue with regard to Canada continues to be the political space that Canada provides to anti-India elements who advocate extremism and violence. And we have repeatedly conveyed our deep concerns to them and expect them to take action,” he remarked, but he declined to comment on whether a meeting was being scheduled between Modi and Trudeau.
What is India looking to get out of the G7 summit?
India’s participation in the G7 summit underlines its strategic importance and growing influence on the global stage.
The summit will provide Modi with a platform to advance India’s interests and engage in meaningful dialogue on issues affecting the Global South. The ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties with various countries reflect India’s proactive approach to international relations.
Kwatra highlighted the broader implications of India’s engagement at the summit. “India’s participation at this G7 Summit acquires particular salience in the context of India’s recently held, not so recent, presidency of the G20, where India took a leading role in building global consensus on a number of contentious issues… At G7 also, we have always brought the issues of the Global South to the forefront,” he said.
Modi’s participation in the G7 summit, his fifth in a row, underscores India’s growing influence on the global stage. As the world grapples with complex challenges, India’s role in fostering dialogue and collaboration remains crucial.
The G7 summit in Italy is set to be a defining event, providing a platform for India to assert its position and contribute to global discussions on critical issues.
With inputs from agencies
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