PM Modi Arrives In Italy For G7 Summit Outreach Meet, Bilateral Talks With Meloni, World Leaders Lined Up

During his day-long visit, PM Modi will be participating in a summit session entitled Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean to be hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and joined by Pope Francis.

Bari: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Apulia, southern Italy, to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Summit and hold bilateral talks on a wide range of issues with world leaders on Friday.  As PM Modi touched down at Brindisi Airport in Apulia, he was received by India’s Ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao, and other officials. This marks PM Modi’s first trip abroad after assuming office for the third consecutive term. “The Prime Minister of India has arrived at Brindisi Airport in Italy to participate in the G7 Summit,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a video message from the airport.

“Tomorrow (Friday) is a packed day for him. We have several bilateral meetings with world leaders lined up. He will also be addressing the Outreach session of the G7 Summit,” he said.

Giving an overview of PM Modi’s day-long visit to Italy, Jaiswal posted another video, as he sketched out the details of the Prime Minister’s engagements with the world leaders on June 14. “Namaste! The Prime Minister of India has arrived at Brindisi Airport in Italy to participate in the G7 Summit. Tomorrow is a packed day for him. We have several bilateral meetings with the world leaders lined up,” Jaiswal said in the video.”He will also be addressing the outreach session of the G7 Summit,” he added.

PM @narendramodi arrives in Apulia, Italy for the G7 Summit.

🎥 Here’s is an overview of his day-long visit. pic.twitter.com/MLBVZP7K16

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 13, 2024

PM Modi Schedule For G7 Summit

According to reports, Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings on Friday, including with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before leaving for Borgo Egnazia for the G7 meeting.

Following the Outreach session – which majorly focuses on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean – PM Modi is expected to hold bilaterals with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida.

While there is a chance of them meeting informally during the official photo-op, there is no scheduled bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.

Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters en route Brindisi that US President Joe Biden and PM Modi will have an “opportunity to encounter one another” during the G7 session.

“President Biden actually spoke with Prime Minister Modi over phone while we were in Paris to congratulate him on the election outcome and on being named Prime Minister for a third term,” said Sullivan.

India’s 11th participation at G7 Summit

It will be India’s 11th participation and PM Modi’s fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit.

“I am glad that my first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G-7 Summit. I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Meloni’s two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions,” the Prime Minister said in his departure statement.

It will be for the 11th time that India will be taking part in the G7 Summit.

“During the discussions at the Outreach session, the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under India’s Presidency and the forthcoming G7 Summit, and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South,” said PM Modi.