Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G7 Summit at Apulia in Italy on Friday. Mr Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron this afternoon. 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. They agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with increased focus on ‘Make in India’. Both leaders also agreed to expand cooperation in the realms of AI, critical and emerging technologies, energy and sports, while working closely in context of the forthcoming AI Summit and United Nations Oceans Conference to be hosted in France next year.
The two leaders also exchanged views on key global and regional issues. They emphasized that a strong and trusted Strategic Partnership between India and France is crucial for a stable and prosperous global order and agreed to work closely to make it scale greater heights. Prime Minister extended his best wishes to President Macron for the forthcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Prime Minister Modi also met his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. He is slated to hold bilateral meetings and discussions with the leaders of the G7, as also the Outreach Countries and the international organizations. In a social media post, Mr Modi reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. He said there is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. Both leaders also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector.
Mr Modi held a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Summit. The leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on situation in Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
