Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Apulia, southern Italy, for the G7 Summit Outreach session and bilateral discussions with global leaders on Friday.
During his visit, PM Modi will participate in a summit session titled “Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean,” hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and joined by Pope Francis. The PM is expected to hold bilateral talks with the Pope and engage in meetings with several other world leaders on the sidelines of the summit at Borgo Egnazia resort.
“I am eager to meet fellow world leaders to discuss various issues aimed at enhancing global well-being,” PM Modi stated in his departure statement.
He expressed satisfaction that his first foreign trip of his third consecutive term as Prime Minister was to Italy for the G7 Summit. Reflecting on the strategic partnership with Italy, he emphasized enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions.
The summit’s agenda will focus on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, fostering synergy between outcomes from the G20 Summit hosted by India last year and the ongoing G7 discussions. PM Modi highlighted the importance of these deliberations for the Global South.
The Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, highlighted the summit’s location in Apulia as a gesture of strengthened dialogue with the Global South. Discussions are set to address pressing issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
India, alongside leaders from 11 other developing countries, has been invited by Italy to participate in the G7 Summit.