• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Fri, 14 Jun 2024 06:59 PM (IST)
  • Source:ANI
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PM Modi At G7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reached the venue of the ongoing G7 summit in Italy's Apulia region. PM Modi was greeted by his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni upon his arrival at the Borgo Egnazia resort, where the annual summit is being held. Meloni greeted him with a 'Namaste'. Interestingly, the Italian PM has used the gesture while welcoming several leaders at the venue so far.

Following his arrival at the venue, PM Modi also struck up a conversation with Pope Francis ahead of the G7 Outreach Session there. India, which is not a member of the G7, is participating at the summit as an outreach partner along with several other nations. During the day, PM Modi held separate bilateral meetings with UK PM Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the ongoing summit.

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Providing details about the meeting between PM Modi and Macron, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X: "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."

PM Modi At G7: What's On India's Agenda?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to Italy is his first official overseas trip since assuming office for a third consecutive term. This is the 11th time that India is taking part in the G7 Summit. It is also PM Modi's fifth consecutive participation in the annual G7 gatherings. PM Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, following the Outreach Session.

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In the meeting, the two prime ministers are expected to review the entire gamut of India-Italy ties and give directions for next steps, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra had said earlier. The agenda for this year's G7 Outreach Session comprises Artificial Intelligence (AI), energy, Africa and the Mediterranean region. Pope Francis will lead talks on AI. 

(With inputs from agencies)