Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday during the G7 Summit in Apulia, southern Italy. The summit, hosted at the Borgo Egnazia resort, also includes a scheduled bilateral meeting between PM Modi and the Pope. Modi has several meetings planned with other world leaders throughout the event.
Prior to his departure for Italy, PM Modi expressed his eagerness to engage with global leaders on pressing issues aimed at improving lives and making the planet better.
Ukraine War:
On Thursday, G7 leaders agreed on a $50 billion loan package for Ukraine, funded by profits from frozen Russian assets. President Joe Biden highlighted this move as a signal to Moscow of unwavering support for Kyiv. During the summit, Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 10-year security agreement to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russia and facilitate its path towards NATO membership. Biden emphasized the unity and determination of the G7 leaders in supporting Ukraine, sending a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Israel-Gaza War:
G7 leaders have shown support for a truce and hostage deal in the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict. However, Biden noted that Hamas has been reluctant to agree to the terms, posing a significant obstacle to progress.
Global Economic and Political Tensions:
The summit also addressed economic tensions between China and Western countries. The gathering began with a session on Africa, followed by discussions on the Middle East, and will shift focus to China on Friday, including a visit from Pope Francis.
2024 G7 Summit:
The G7, comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, invited leaders from Algeria, Kenya, Tunisia, Ukraine, Brazil, India, and Turkey to participate. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni plans to discuss development and migration in Africa with the invited African leaders.
As many G7 countries, including the US, UK, and France, approach elections, there is significant pressure on current leaders to achieve meaningful outcomes during the summit. This urgency underscores the importance of the discussions taking place in Apulia.
