Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held significant bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy.
#WATCH | Italy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Apulia, on the sidelines of G7 Summit.
The two leaders share a hug as they meet. pic.twitter.com/oCEOD3XQhT
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024
The leaders warmly greeted each other with hugs before engaging in substantive talks.
#WATCH | Italy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with UK PM Rishi Sunak in Apulia, on the sidelines of G7 Summit.
The two leaders share a hug as they meet. pic.twitter.com/X5ZFi7379l
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X, “PM Narendra Modi met President Emmanuel Macron of France on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. 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.”
🇮🇳🇫🇷| Taking Strategic Partnership to new levels!
PM @narendramodi met
President @EmmanuelMacron of France on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy.The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen partnership including in areas of defence, nuclear, space,… pic.twitter.com/0Ti1tK4nWH
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 14, 2024
This visit marks Prime Minister Modi’s first foreign trip after assuming office for a third term this month. Modi and Macron last met in January during the French President’s visit to India for the 75th Republic Day celebrations. During their previous meeting, they reaffirmed their shared vision for bilateral cooperation and international partnership, as outlined in the Horizon 2047 roadmap. This roadmap sets an ambitious and comprehensive agenda for bilateral relations leading up to 2047, the centenary year of India’s independence.
In his meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Modi continued discussions from their last encounter at the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September. At that time, they had agreed to accelerate Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with the goal of finalising the agreement before India’s general elections.
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The G7 Summit, hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, brings together leaders from the world’s leading industrialised nations. Discussions on Friday focused on migration, the Indo-Pacific, and economic security. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address an Outreach session on Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Upon his arrival, Modi was received by Indian Ambassador to Italy Vani Rao. He highlighted Meloni’s two visits to India last year, describing them as “instrumental” in advancing the India-Italy strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions. “Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future,” Modi remarked after landing in Italy.
