Prime Minister Modi Travels to Italy for G7 Summit, Focus on Ukraine and Gaza Conflicts

India, invited as an outreach country to the G7 Summit 2024, prioritizes discussions on defense and maritime cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to Italy for the G7 summit, where discussions are likely to focus on Ukraine and Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Scheduled from June 13-15 at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Apulia, the summit will gather leaders from the G7 countries—US, UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and France—along with the European Union. India, invited as an outreach country, aims to prioritize defense and maritime cooperation, as noted by ambassador Vani Rao. "Defense and security are key areas of focus, including collaboration in critical technologies and linking defense industries, alongside maritime cooperation," Ms. Rao informed ANI.

Prime Minister Modi, attending as a special invitee, will depart on Thursday with a high-level delegation, marking his first foreign tour since assuming office for the third time, according to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra. He plans to follow up on key issues from India's G20 presidency, Ms. Rao added.

With Ukraine expected to feature prominently, India emphasizes dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred resolution to the conflict. "We consistently advocate for dialogue and diplomacy, recognizing the impact of conflicts on the priorities and interests of developing countries," Mr. Kwatra affirmed.

During the summit, President Biden anticipates meeting with Prime Minister Modi. "Biden looks forward to encountering PM Modi in Italy," stated US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.