New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a visit to France and Slovakia from 14th to 18th of this month to participate in the upcoming G7 Summit. Briefing media in New Delhi this afternoon, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George said, this will be a highly productive and wide ranging visit. He added that the visit spans three destinations in France – Nice, Evian and Paris, and Slovakia.
Secretary (West) said that at the invitation of President of France, Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Modi will be traveling to Evian to participate in the 52nd G7 Summit to be held from 15th to 17th June. India has been invited as a partner country. Mr George said, the visit will provide an opportunity for Prime Minister to engage with world leaders present at the G7 Summit on issues of importance to India as well as to the Global South. This will be India’s 13th participation at the G7 Summit and Prime Minister Modi’s seventh consecutive participation at the G7 Summit.
Secretary (West) said that 16th and 17th June are dedicated to Outreach Sessions of the G7 Summit. Prime Minister will participate in this along other invited countries. The discussions will broadly focus on the renewal of international partnerships, and development solidarity, fostering shared and balanced growth, and effective and efficient rollout of Artificial Intelligence. Mr George said, India’s regular participation at the G7 Summits reflects the increasing recognition of India’s role and contributions in addressing global challenges relating to peace, security, development and environmental sustainability.
The G7 Summit under the French Presidency has chosen some key priorities for the current year. These are reducing excessive macro economic imbalances, and fostering shared growth, renewing international partnerships and development solidarities, strengthening the resilience of criticla mineral value chains, protecting minors online, and settling major geopolitical crises.
On the sidelines of the Summit, the Prime Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings and discussions with G7 countries, partner countries and international organisations. Some of the countries invited for the Summit include South Korea, Kenya, Brazil and Egypt as partner countries. Other invited international organisations include the World Bank, African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, and OECD.
Additional Secretary (Europe West), Piyush Srivasta said, during the visit to Nice, on the 14th of this month, the Prime Minister will hold comprehensive discussions with President Macron covering full range of areas of bilateral partnership, and exchange views on regional and international issues of importance. Prime Minister Modi will also jointly inaugurate Bharat Innovates along with President Macron. On the last leg of his visit to France, Mr Modi will continue bilateral engagements in Paris, on the 18th of June, including addressing Viva Tech Summit, which is Europe’s premier technology and startup conference.
Mr Modi will be on the Slovakia leg of his two nation tour from 14th to 16th of June. Secreatry (West) said, this visit is historic as this will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since its Independence in 1993. Prime Minister will reach Bratislava on 14th June and will be accorded a ceremonial welcome on the next day. This will be followed by delegation level and one on one meetings with Prime Minister of Slovak Republic, Robert Fico. Prime Minister will also interact with Slovak business leaders, along with the Prime Minister of Slovakia to deepen economic engagements, boost investment flows and expand cooperation across important sectors. Mr Modi will also hold talks with the president of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini at the Presidential Palace.
