Apulia, Italy – Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with several world leaders on Friday during the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. This summit, held in the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort, served as a crucial platform for discussing global economic and geopolitical issues.
PM Modi’s presence at the summit was prominently highlighted in a group photo that included major world leaders such as US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Modi’s central position in the photograph quickly became a point of pride for many Indians, with social media users celebrating India’s prominent role on the global stage by remarking, “India is now at the center of the world.”
The G7 Summit culminated with a communique reaffirming the commitment of the Group of Seven industrialized nations to promoting significant infrastructure initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The communique, issued on Friday evening after the customary “family photo,” emphasized the importance of a “free and open Indo-Pacific” based on the rule of law.
The IMEC is being touted as a transformative project aimed at creating a vast network of roads, railways, and shipping routes connecting Saudi Arabia, India, the United States, and Europe. This initiative seeks to enhance integration between Asia, the Middle East, and the West, potentially boosting economic cooperation and development across these regions.
On the second day of the summit, discussions focused on safeguarding the economic interests of G7 nations without triggering a trade war with China. There was a significant emphasis on forming a united front in response to China’s economic practices and its alleged support of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Washington has particularly highlighted China’s role in prolonging the Ukraine conflict and is seeking a coordinated response from G7 countries to address these concerns.
A source from the Japanese government informed AFP that the G7 countries are aligned in their stance towards China. Trade relations between China and Western nations have been tense, exacerbated by the European Union’s recent decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Additionally, the US, Japan, and the European Union have raised concerns over China’s industrial overcapacity, which has been a point of contention in global trade discussions.
As the G7 Summit progressed, it became clear that the participating nations are committed to addressing both the immediate and long-term challenges posed by China’s economic policies and its geopolitical strategies. The discussions underscored the necessity of maintaining a balance between protecting economic interests and fostering international cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the summit and the subsequent bilateral meetings underscore India’s growing influence on the global stage. His interactions with other world leaders reflect India’s strategic importance in addressing global economic and geopolitical issues. As the world navigates complex international dynamics, India’s role continues to expand, highlighting its significance in global governance and economic stability.
The G7 Summit in Apulia has set the stage for further cooperation and dialogue among the world’s leading economies, with India’s contributions and perspectives being a crucial part of these discussions.
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