At the G7 Summit in the southern Italian region of Apulia, migration, Indo-Pacific affairs, and economic security took center stage during discussions among the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attending his first overseas visit since beginning his third term, is set to address an Outreach session focusing on Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Welcomed by Indian Ambassador to Italy Vani Rao, Modi will engage in bilateral meetings with global leaders before the customary G7 ‘family photo’ session. Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, hosting the summit, emphasized the increased importance of the Indo-Pacific and the pressing issue of migration, particularly the exploitation by human trafficking organizations.
Drawing a poetic analogy, Meloni likened the G7 to the leaves of Apulia’s olive trees, symbolizing strength and forward-looking vision. Modi, reflecting on Meloni’s previous visits to India, underscored their instrumental role in strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions.
Pope Francis, representing the Holy See, will address the summit, focusing on the implications of AI and advocating for peace amid global conflicts. Other outreach nations joining India include Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritania, Tunisia, Turkey, and the UAE.
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The first day of the summit revolved around the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with leaders endorsing a US proposal to provide a USD 50-billion loan to Kyiv using frozen Russian assets. This move, hailed as a significant outcome by Biden, sends a strong message of solidarity against Russian aggression.
Additionally, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged up to 242 million pounds in bilateral assistance to Ukraine. India reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred approach to international conflicts.
At a G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment Side Event, attended by World Bank chief Ajay Banga, leaders affirmed their commitment to launch and scale investments in strategic sectors such as green energy and digitalization, with a focus on economic corridors globally.
