The 50th G7 Summit is taking place from June 13th to 15th at the resort in Borgo Egnazia, Puglia, Italy. Notable attendees include US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a remarkable impression by greeting foreign guests with a warm 'Namaste'.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni showcased a unique welcome style, greeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with a 'Namaste'. These welcoming moments have gone viral on social media, earning Meloni praise from the Indian community.
Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak were also enthusiastically greeted, with Biden saluting Meloni as a gesture of respect after her welcome.
Prime Minister Modi will also join the summit. This marks his first foreign visit since assuming office for the third term, as India often participates in the G7 Summit as a guest nation. This is the 11th invitation India has received to join the G7 Summit. Modi is expected to raise various issues, including those pertinent to India and the Global South.
PM Modi: Heading to Italy for the G7 Outreach Summit
PM Modi remarked on his Italy visit, "Following Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's invitation, I am traveling to Puglia on June 14th, 2024, to participate in the G7 Outreach Summit. I am pleased that my first journey during my third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit. I fondly recall my trip to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Last year's two visits by Prime Minister Meloni to India have significantly accelerated our bilateral agenda. We are committed to bolstering the India-Italy strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions."
He further stated that discussions during the outreach session would concentrate on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. This is an opportunity to better align the outcomes of the G20 Summit chaired by India and the upcoming G7 Summit, as well as to discuss issues crucial for the Global South. Modi also expressed eagerness to meet other leaders attending the summit.
What is the G7?
The G7 involves the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan. Italy is currently in charge of the G7 presidency and hosting the summit. G7 countries currently represent about 45% of the global GDP and over 10% of the world population. Traditionally, the G7 presidency's host country invites representatives from many nations and international organizations to the summit. Previously expanded to include Russia between 1997 and 2013 as G8, Russia's membership was suspended in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea.
From its initial focus on economic issues, the G7 slowly emerged as a platform for addressing major global challenges such as peace and security, anti-terrorism, development, education, health, environment, and climate change. Since 2003, non-member countries, traditionally from Asia and Africa, have been invited to 'outreach' sessions. The G7 also encouraged dialogue with non-governmental stakeholders, resulting in various engagement groups related to trade, civil society, labor, science and education, think tanks, women's rights, and youth. They provide recommendations to the G7's presiding nation.
