G7 Summit HIGHLIGHTS: PM Modi meets Biden, Trudeau; wraps up his Italy visit

Pleased to meet @UN Secretary General, Mr. @antonioguterres in Italy," he posted on X.

"Met @KingAbdullahII on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. India values the strong ties with Jordan," PM Modi posted on X.

"It's always a pleasure to meet @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and USA will keep working together to further global good," he posted on X.

Met Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau at the G7 Summit, he posted on X.

Leaders from the world at the 'Outreach Nation' session of the G7 Summit posed for the family photo.

"Spoke at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean. Highlighted a wide range of subjects, notably, the wide scale usage of technology for human progress," PM Modi posted on X.

"India has considered it its responsibility to put the priorities and concerns of the countries of the Global South on the world stage. In these efforts, we have given high priority to Africa. We are proud that under India's presidency, the G-20 made the African Union a permanent member. India has been contributing to the economic and social development, stability and security of all the countries of Africa, and will continue to do so," said PM Modi at the G7 Outreach Session.

"Technology should be used for creative purposes, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society. India is striving for a better future through this human-centric approach. India is among the first few countries to formulate a National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence. Based on this strategy, we have launched the AI Mission this year. Its motto is 'AI for All', " said PM Modi at the G7 Outreach Session.

"I feel fortunate that the people of India have given me the opportunity to serve them for the third consecutive time. This has happened for the first time in the last six decades in India. The blessings given by the people of India in this historic victory is a win for democracy," says PM Modi at the G7 Outreach Session.

"I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India," said PM Modi on X.

US President Joe Biden mentioned in his G7 address as Brazil, Argentina and India as critical minerals partners.

(Reported by Vijai Laxmi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a light-hearted exchange with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and Ajay Banga, President of World Bank.

"We discussed the development of bilateral relations and trade, in particular in the context of the Black Sea export corridor functioning. We explored the possibility of exchanging experience in the use of new technologies in agriculture. We also talked about the Global Peace Summit and issues on its agenda. I thank Prime Minister Modi for sending a high-level delegation to the Summit," Zelenskyy said on X.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen while welcoming that the pressing issue of migration is being addressed by the Group of Seven (G7), stressed the need for partnership and urged fellow leaders to confront the root causes of migration, combat human trafficking, and establish legal pathways for migrants.

On PM Modi meeting Pope Francis at Outreach Session of G7 Summit in Italy, John Barwa, Arch Bishop Of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar St Vincent Catholic Church says, " ...We say that this relationship of our PM and our holy father Pope will continue...this will have a lasting effect in the country and we Christians will have the possibility to live in peace and harmony in the country".

"The holy scripture says that the God gave to human beings, his spirit in order for them to have wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge in all kind of tasks. Science and technology are, therefore, extraordinary products of the potential that are active in us human beings," Francis said during the summit.

Pope Francis became the first pontiff to address the Group of Seven nations on Friday, raising the promise and perils of artificial intelligence to the leaders of the world's leading industrialised nations.

PM Modi meets with Pope Francis at the G7 Outreach Summit in Borgo Egnazia, Italy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with a 'namaste' by his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni ahead of the Outreach session of the G7 Summit.

"Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy," wrote PM Modi on X.

"It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector," said PM Modi on X.

PM Narendra Modi spoke on his 'excellent' meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. "This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also discussed how to encourage innovation and research among the youth. I conveyed my best wishes to him on the hosting of the Paris Olympics, which begins next month," said PM Modi on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Apulia, on the sidelines of G7 Summit. 

The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen partnership including in areas of defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, critical technologies, connectivity and culture. They also exchanged views on key global and regional issues, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with UK PM Rishi Sunak in Apulia, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. 

One on one meeting between PM Modi and President Macron is underway at the sidelines on G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy.

In a pre-visit media briefing ahead of PM Modi's visit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra had recalled Modi's statement in September 2022 that "today's era is not of war".

"We have always been at the forefront to offer assistance wherever we can to alleviate challenges faced by the Global South because of the conflict, humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and also to the Global South affected by conflict," he said.

A key focus of the Italian presidency of G7 has been to defend the rules-based international system. The G7 will give equal importance to the conflict in the Middle East, with its consequences for the global agenda, an official said.

The bloc expanded into G8 between 1997 and 2013, with the inclusion of Russia. However, Russia's participation was suspended in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea.

In line with its tradition, representatives of a number of countries and international organisations are invited to the summit by the host nation that holds the chair.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is set to dominate the agenda as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived for the discussions. While India has reiterated its stance on “dialogue and diplomacy” as the best approach, Sunak is leading calls for “decisive” efforts to support Ukraine “whatever it takes”.

Besides India, Italy has invited leaders from 11 developing countries in Africa, South America and the Indo-Pacific region to attend the G7 Summit.

Leaders of the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations are turning their attention to migration on the second day of their summit, seeking ways to combat trafficking and increase investment in countries from where migrants start out on often life-threatening journeys.

During his day-long visit, Modi will be participating in a summit session entitled Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean to be hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and joined by Pope Francis.

The Pope is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Modi, who has a series of meetings scheduled with the world leaders on the sidelines of the summit being held at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he was looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders at the G7 Summit to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future.

India hosted the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September, which was also attended by the world leaders gathering at the Apulia meet being held under the Italian presidency. The Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, will welcome Modi as the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy today.

G7 leaders take family photo, witness Italian paratroopers skydiving flags ceremony. | Watch

The G7 comprises the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Italy is holding the current presidency of the G7 (Group of Seven) and is hosting the summit in that capacity. 

During his stay in Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a bilateral meeting with counterpart Giorgia Meloni.

"Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda," the Prime Minister said.

"We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions," the Prime M said.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Italy on Friday to attend the G7 Summit. In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said he is glad that his first state visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit. He recalled his previous visit to Italy and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visits to India which have contributed significantly to enhancing bilateral ties.