The G-7 Summit is being held in Canada, with the heads of state from 14 countries, including PM Modi, in attendance. India is participating as an outreach partner. The summit will discuss global issues and bilateral relations.
G-7 Summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a three-nation tour. The second leg of this tour is Canada, where he is participating in the G-7 Summit being held on June 16 and 17. This summit is taking place in Canmore, Canada, and PM Modi is participating as an outreach partner. While India is not a member of the G-7, it has been invited to participate at the special invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
First visit since 2015
This is PM Modi's first visit to Canada since 2015, at the invitation of the Canadian Prime Minister. During this visit, he will meet several key global leaders. Bilateral discussions will also be a priority alongside the summit. Besides PM Modi, leaders from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the European Union, Ukraine, and Mexico are also participating in this summit. In total, heads of state from 14 countries are gathering at this forum.
Who will PM Modi meet?
During the G-7 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He is also scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. These meetings will not only strengthen India's global relations but will also expand strategic and economic partnerships.
The role of the G-7 and India's participation
The G-7 Summit is a forum for the seven most developed economies in the world. This includes Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. The European Union is also a part of it. Previously, this group was the G-8, but after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, it was removed from the group. India is not a permanent member of the G-7, but for the past few years, it has been invited as an outreach partner. This is Prime Minister Modi's sixth consecutive G-7 summit.
On which issues will India speak?
India's participation in this year's G-7 Summit is considered highly significant. India is emerging as the voice of the Global South. PM Modi will share India's perspective on key issues such as climate change, global economic stability, energy security, food security, and technological cooperation at this forum. Given India's position as the fifth-largest economy and its role in the global supply chain, its views will be heard seriously.
Hope for a new chapter in India-Canada relations
In recent times, relations between India and Canada have been strained, particularly due to b reactions surrounding the Khalistan issue. This summit, providing an opportunity for a meeting between the leaders of both countries, could be a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties.
Ukraine and Mexico's participation also in discussion
Like India, Ukraine and Mexico are not members of the G-7, but they have also been invited to the summit this year. President Zelenskyy's participation, against the backdrop of the Ukraine-Russia war, is generating significant discussion. Meanwhile, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is participating in the G-7 Summit for the first time.
Presence of US President Biden
US President Joe Biden has arrived in Canada to participate in this summit. His plane landed in Calgary, Alberta, on Sunday night. This is his first international summit as President, where he will meet with several global leaders. Bilateral talks between Biden and Trudeau are also expected.
PM Modi's itinerary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a three-nation tour. He first visited Cyprus, then arrived in Canada, and will subsequently travel to Croatia. This tour follows the success of India's 'Operation Dost' and aims to strengthen bilateral relations and further solidify India's global standing.
