News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/15th June 2024
At the G7 Outreach event in Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the concerns of Global South countries, reaffirming India’s commitment to advocate for these nations on the global stage. Modi highlighted India’s leadership role, especially during its G20 presidency, where the African Union was made a permanent member of the grouping. He also underscored the importance of international governance in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), a significant topic at the G20 Summit hosted by India last year.
A video shared by PM Modi showcases key moments from his visit to Italy, including his arrival and the warm welcome from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The video captures Modi’s bilateral meetings with several world leaders, such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and French President Emmanuel Macron, among others. Modi’s interactions with Pope Francis, US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were also highlighted.
During his address at the G7 Summit, Modi spoke on the themes of Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. He detailed India’s energy transition strategy, emphasizing the principles of availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2070 and called for global participation in the “Plant4Mother” campaign, which he launched on World Environment Day as part of India’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
Modi stressed the importance of prioritizing the concerns of the Global South, particularly Africa. He mentioned that India’s presidency of the G20 saw the African Union being admitted as a permanent member, which was a significant honor for India. Highlighting India’s AI Mission “AI for All,” he emphasized that AI technology should be harnessed for the progress and well-being of all. Modi also noted India’s role as a founding member of the Global Partnership for AI, fostering international collaboration.
At the conclusion of the three-day G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the Group of Seven nations committed to promoting key infrastructure projects, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The G7 Summit Communique, issued after the customary “family photo” session, reaffirmed the group’s dedication to a “free and open Indo-Pacific” based on the rule of law. This commitment reflects the G7’s focus on connectivity and economic growth through initiatives like IMEC, aiming to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the summit, Modi and his Italian counterpart reviewed the progress of the bilateral strategic partnership, agreeing to strengthen cooperation in global fora and multilateral initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. Modi also had a brief conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau amid strained bilateral ties over the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Both leaders were seen warmly greeting each other.
Additionally, Modi held a separate conversation with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the summit. “It’s always a pleasure to meet @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and USA will keep working together to further global good,” Modi posted on X. He also highlighted the “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam” campaign, which aims to promote environmental sustainability and create a more habitable planet for future generations.
Reflecting on India’s approach to energy, Modi emphasized that it is based on availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability. He reiterated India’s efforts to fulfill its climate commitments ahead of schedule and usher in a Green Era based on the principles of Mission LiFE.
Concluding his visit, Modi expressed his gratitude to the people and government of Italy for their warm hospitality. “Had a very productive day at the G7 Summit in Apulia. Interacted with world leaders and discussed various subjects. Together, we aim to create impactful solutions that benefit the global community and create a better world for future generations,” he stated in a post on X.
