Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for the G7 Summit meeting in Apulia, Italy, late Thursday afternoon.
‘At the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, I am travelling to Apulia region in Italy to participate in the G7 Outreach Summit on 14 June 2024,’ he said in a statement released just before his departure.
“I am glad that my first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit. I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Meloni’s two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions.
During the discussions at the Outreach session, the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under India’s Presidency and the forthcoming G7 Summit, and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South. I am also looking forward to meeting other leaders participating in the Summit,” the statement said.
Prime Minister Modi is expected to land at Brindsi Airport in southern Italy around 11 pm Thursday.
On Friday, he is expected to have three bilateral meetings before he arrives at the Borgo Egnazia, the luxury resort where the outreach session will be held in the afternoon. This will be followed by another three or four bilaterals, after which he will attend the cultural performance and dinner hosted by Prime Minister Meloni. After dinner, he will then head to the airport for the journey back to New Delhi.
