PM Narendra Modi at G7 Summit Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Saturday in Hiroshima, Japan. He also met Indonesian President Joko Widodo and UN chief Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the G7 summit happening in the Japanese city. Modi is in Hiroshima to attend three sessions at the G7 summit. As per a PTI report, Modi said that he had a productive discussion with Sunak on the sidelines of the Hiroshima G-7 Summit. The two leaders are expected to meet formally on Sunday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in the picturesque city of Hiroshima set the stage for his participation in two significant international gatherings: the annual summit of the G7 and the in-person Quad leaders’ meeting.
The visit to Hiroshima marks the initial stop on Prime Minister Modi’s extensive three-nation tour, which will also take him to Japan, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. With a packed schedule, he is slated to engage in over 40 engagements, including summits, bilateral meetings, and interactions with over two dozen world leaders.
Catch all the Highlights here
Prime Minister Modi unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima. “A symbol of friendship and goodwill… Mahatma's bust, a gift from India to the city of Hiroshima, is a befitting tribute to a city that symbolises humanity's yearning for peace,” MEA Spokesperson Bagchi tweeted.
PM @narendramodi unveils a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima, Japan. pic.twitter.com/RmZobqj9d2
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 20, 2023
During his visit to Hiroshima for the annual summit of the G7 grouping and the Quad leaders' meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a series of significant engagements. One of these included a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, where they explored avenues to bolster the friendship between India and Japan across various sectors, encompassing trade, economy, and culture.
Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, took to Twitter to share the positive outcome of the meeting. He stated, “PM Narendra Modi and PM Fumio Kishida of Japan held warm and productive talks,” highlighting the fruitful nature of their discussions. The leaders delved into ways to synergize their efforts as G-7 and G-20 Presidencies, emphasizing the importance of amplifying the voice of the Global South. They also exchanged perspectives on current regional developments and deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Furthermore, the leaders addressed the need to reinforce the bilateral Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan. Their conversation encompassed topics such as education, skill development, tourism, high technology, and digital public infrastructure. By exploring these areas of collaboration, they aimed to strengthen the ties between the two nations and enhance their collective progress.
(With PTI inputs)
The leaders of the world's wealthiest democracies took decisive action by intensifying sanctions against Russia. As they gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, their discussions emphasized the importance of reducing dependence on trade with China, a key focus highlighted in the draft communique.
The Group of Seven (G7) leaders, who will be joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during the weekend, made a commitment to limit exports to Russia that could potentially support President Vladimir Putin's aggression towards Ukraine. They also vowed to clamp down on any activities that undermine existing sanctions. (Reuters)
A statement from the White House reveals that G7 leaders have issued a collective call for a world free from nuclear weapons. They have urged countries such as Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea to halt nuclear escalation and instead prioritize non-proliferation efforts.
The leaders specifically addressed Russia's nuclear rhetoric and expressed their concerns over the stated intention to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus, deeming such actions as both dangerous and unacceptable. They called on Russia to fully comply with the New START treaty, emphasizing the importance of returning to its complete implementation.
The leaders of G7 advanced economies on Friday resolved to stand against Russia's “illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked” invasion of Ukraine and unveiled new sanctions on Moscow, in an indication that they would maintain their tough approach on the conflict at the G20 summit in India as well.
The G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Delhi in March was unable to come out with a joint communique due to a bitterly increasing rift between the US-led Western powers and Russia over the Ukraine conflict despite efforts by host India to bridge the differences.
On the first day of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, US President Joe Biden and other leaders of the grouping strongly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and vowed to step up economic sanctions on Moscow.
The G7 comprises the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Japan, the current chair of the grouping, invited India and seven other countries to the summit. (PTI)
During an interview with Japanese publication Nikkei Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India's unequivocal stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the country's commitment to peace.
PM Modi stated, “India's position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine is clear and unwavering. We stand firmly on the side of peace and are dedicated to supporting those who are facing challenges in meeting their essential needs, particularly amid the escalating costs of food, fuel, and fertilizers. We maintain open lines of communication with both Russia and Ukraine.”
He further expressed his belief that the present era should be characterized by cooperation and collaboration rather than conflict. “Our times should be defined by cooperation and collaboration, fostering mutual understanding and shared prosperity,” the PM emphasised to Nikkei Asia during the interview.
According to a report from Reuters, the leaders of the world's wealthiest democracies have reached an agreement on Friday to strengthen their sanctions against Russia and provide financial aid to Ukraine. As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine prepared to join them in Hiroshima, Japan, the leaders expressed their commitment to supporting Ukraine's budgetary requirements for the current year and early 2024.
In a statement quoted by Reuters, the G7 leaders affirmed their determination to take decisive measures in order to counter Russia's unlawful aggression against Ukraine and to assist the Ukrainian people in their pursuit of a just and peaceful resolution based on adherence to international law.
All times as per Hiroshima Local Time. (+3.5 hours)
Friday 19 May
2000 hrs – Arrival
Saturday 20 May
0730 hrs – Bilateral meeting with Japan
0830 hrs – Unveiling of Bust of Mahatma Gandhi
1030 hrs – Bilateral Meeting with Korea
1100 hrs – Bilateral Meeting with Vietnam
1430 hrs – Arrive at G7 Summit Venue
1500 hrs – Working Session 6
1710 hrs – Bilateral Meeting with France
1750 hrs – Bilateral Meeting with Ukraine
1825 hrs – Working Session 7
2005 hrs – Quad Summit
During a pre-visit briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra announced that India will be actively involved in three official sessions during May 20 and 21:
The first session, scheduled for Saturday, will prioritize discussions on health, gender, food, and development. On May 21, Prime Minister Modi will partake in the second session dedicated to environment, energy, climate change, while the final session of the day will revolve around achieving a “peaceful, stable, and prosperous world.”
The Group of seven countries, special guests as well as representatives of the international bodies will talk about nuclear disarmament, regional issues, climate change, energy security, food, health, economic security and resilience.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said his presence at the G7 Summit in Japan is particularly meaningful as India currently holds the G20 presidency.
In the departure statement ahead of his six-day three-nation tour, Modi said he is looking forward to exchanging views with the G7 countries and other invited partners on the challenges that the world faces and the need to collectively address those.
Senior diplomats from India and Ukraine are actively considering the prospect of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. Citing sources familiar with the matter, PTI reported that discussions are underway to facilitate this encounter.
If realized, this meeting would mark the first face-to-face interaction between the two leaders since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of the preceding year. While the PTI report suggests the possibility of a meeting taking place tomorrow, no definitive confirmation has been announced thus far, and the decision remains pending.
The potential bilateral meeting between Modi and Zelenskyy carries significant implications, given the context of recent events and the ongoing geopolitical dynamics.
Hello and welcome to the blog. Prime Minister Modi's visit to Hiroshima not only signifies India's active involvement in international affairs but also underscores the country's commitment to addressing shared global challenges through collective action. As he embarks on this significant journey, the stage is set for meaningful dialogues, impactful collaborations, and concerted efforts toward a better future for the world at large. Stay tuned for latest updates.