On the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Fasano, Apulia, Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his British counterpart, Rishi Sunak. This meeting marked their first in-person encounter since the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September, where they had agreed to speed up the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. These talks aim to enhance bilateral trade, which is currently worth around 38.1 billion pounds a year.
Also read:
G20 Summit 2024: History, Schedule, List of Countries
Focus on Free Trade Agreement
The India-UK FTA negotiations, which began in January 2022, aim to significantly boost trade between the two nations. The discussions, initially set to conclude before India’s general elections, have been delayed and are now expected to resume after the UK elects a new government on July 4. This agreement is a crucial aspect of strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
Global Cooperation and India
During the G7 Summit, PM Modi emphasized the importance of addressing global challenges through international cooperation. He said the primary objective of his discussions with other world leaders is to tackle pressing global issues and promote international cooperation. By collaborating with his counterparts, PM Modi aims to work towards creating a more promising future for all.
G7 Summit 2024 Highlights
The 50th G7 Summit, held from June 13 to 15, 2024, brought together leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, along with representatives from the European Union. The agenda included the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Middle East issues, climate and energy linkages, migration, food security, and the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence. PM Modi, representing India as an Outreach Country, discussed global south concerns and bilateral cooperation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Participants and representatives at G7 Summit
List of G7 Members
| Country | Represented by | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Justin Trudeau | Prime Minister |
| France | Emmanuel Macron | President |
| Germany | Olaf Scholz | Chancellor |
| Italy (Host) | Giorgia Meloni | Prime Minister |
| Japan | Fumio Kishida | Prime Minister |
| United Kingdom | Rishi Sunak | Prime Minister |
| United States | Joe Biden | President |
| European Union | Ursula von der Leyen | Commission President |
| Charles Michel | Council President |
Invitees at G7 Summit
| Country/Organization | Represented by | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria | Abdelmadjid Tebboune | President |
| Argentina | Javier Milei | President |
| Brazil | Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva | President |
| India | Narendra Modi | Prime Minister |
| Jordan | Abdullah II | King |
| Kenya | William Ruto | President |
| Mauritania/African Union | Mohamed Ould Ghazouani | Chairperson |
| Tunisia | Kais Saied | President |
| Turkey | Recep Tayyip Erdoğan | President |
| United Arab Emirates | Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan | President |
| Ukraine | Volodymyr Zelenskyy | President |
| Vatican City | Pope Francis | Sovereign |
Key Developments at the Summit
Several significant developments occurred during the summit:
- The US announced new sanctions against Russia.
- The G7 issued warnings to smaller Chinese banks over their ties with Russia.
- Pope Francis addressed concerns about the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman missed the summit due to Hajj responsibilities.
G7’s Unwavering Support for Ukraine
Throughout the summit, there has been a strong emphasis on support for Ukraine. On February 24, the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a G7 Leaders’ videoconference was held. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni chaired the meeting from Kyiv, alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and demanded clarification on the death of Alexei Navalny.
Background and Preparation for the Summit
The G7 Summit was chaired by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who emphasized strategic partnerships with Africa. Leading up to the summit, several preparatory meetings were held:
- On February 7, 2024, G7 Trade Ministers met via videoconference, reaffirming their commitment to reforming the World Trade Organization and addressing global trade challenges.
- On February 17, G7 Foreign Ministers met informally at the Munich Security Conference, expressing unwavering support for Ukraine and addressing regional conflicts in the Middle East and the Red Sea.
- On February 24, the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a G7 Leaders videoconference was held.
Significant Announcements and Meetings
The summit has seen several important developments. The United States has announced new sanctions against Russia, reflecting ongoing concerns over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Additionally, the G7 has issued warnings to smaller Chinese banks regarding their ties with Russia. In a notable address, Pope Francis will speak about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. However, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not attend the summit due to Hajj responsibilities.
In conclusion, the G7 Summit in Italy has been marked by significant discussions and decisions. Prime Minister Modi’s meetings with global leaders, particularly with UK Prime Minister Sunak, highlight the importance of international cooperation and bilateral relations. As the summit progresses, the world watches closely, anticipating the positive impacts of these high-level engagements.