G7 Summit Live Updates: After Macron, Modi Meets with Rishi Sunak; Next Up is Ukraine’s Zelenskyy
G7 Summit 2024 Updates: PM Modi to Hold Bilateral Meeting with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni; China to be Key Focus on Day 2
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at G7 Summit in Italy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Italy for the 50th G7 leaders’ summit, marking his first foreign trip of his third term. He is currently holding bilateral discussions with UK PM Rishi Sunak, followed by a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Earlier, Modi met with French President Emmanuel Macron. The G7 summit, held at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia in Italy’s Apulia region, will address issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. On arrival, PM Modi expressed his anticipation for productive discussions with global leaders.
Highlights from Day 1 of the Summit:
The summit, taking place from June 13 to 15, includes representatives from Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, the US, and the European Union. The main event of the first day was a political agreement to provide $50 billion in loans for Ukraine, utilizing interest from frozen Russian assets.
India’s Role in G7 Summits:
PM Modi is attending the G7 summit for the fifth consecutive time. This marks India’s 11th participation in G7 summits. Modi will also engage in bilateral meetings with G7 leaders and representatives from outreach countries and international organizations. He emphasized the importance of addressing global challenges and fostering international cooperation.
Key Meetings and Agendas:
The summit will see multiple bilateral meetings, including PM Modi’s upcoming meeting with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. The second day will focus heavily on China-related issues. The Pope, joining for the first time, will deliver a speech on AI and hold meetings with leaders such as President Biden, President Zelenskyy, and Turkish President Erdogan.
Strategic Focus Areas
European Council President Charles Michel highlighted four major challenges for the summit: financial support for Ukraine, the war in the Middle East, migration, and relations with Africa. The G7 began with an agreement on a US proposal for a $50 billion loan to Ukraine.
Additional Insights
The summit’s discussions also encompass the ongoing conflict in Gaza, emphasizing an immediate ceasefire, hostage release, humanitarian access, and a political path to a two-state solution. Modi expressed satisfaction that his first visit in his third term is to Italy for the G7 Summit, focusing on AI, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Russia’s Perspective:
Russia, not invited to the summit, has criticized it as "futile." Moscow views its conflict in Ukraine as part of a broader struggle with the West. Meanwhile, China's separate peace plan for Ukraine, which has Moscow's support, contrasts with Kyiv's frustration over China's absence from a previous summit in Switzerland. The G7 summit aims to address broad issues like food security, nuclear safety, and freedom of navigation amidst these geopolitical tensions.