G7 Summit 2024: India, as Outreach Invitee, Sets Sights on Defense and Maritime Collaboration.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to depart for Italy to participate in the Group of Seven summit, commonly referred to as the G7, where discussions on Ukraine and Gaza ceasefire are anticipated to take precedence.
Scheduled from June 13-15 at the opulent Borgo Egnazia resort in the Apulia region, the summit will convene leaders from the seven member countries – US, UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and France – along with representatives from the European Union.
As an outreach country invited to the G7 Summit, India aims to prioritize defense and maritime cooperation, as highlighted by Ambassador Vani Rao. “Defense and security are crucial areas of focus for us. We seek collaboration in critical technologies, forging links between our defense industries, and fostering maritime cooperation,” Ms. Rao told ANI.
Prime Minister Modi, attending as a special invitee, will embark on his first overseas tour since assuming office for the third term, accompanied by a high-level delegation, revealed Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.
Continuing from India’s G20 presidency, he will address key issues, noted Ms. Rao.
In light of Ukraine’s prominence in the summit’s discussions, India reiterates its stance favoring dialogue and diplomacy for conflict resolution. “We advocate for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts and consider their implications for developing countries,” stated Mr. Kwatra.
During the summit, President Biden is anticipated to meet with Prime Minister Modi. “Biden looks forward to meeting PM Modi in Italy, offering an opportunity for interaction,” remarked US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
Additionally, PM Modi is slated to hold discussions with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and other leaders to assess bilateral relations.
