Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday departed for Italy to participate in the G7 Outreach Summit in Apulia on June 14, following an invitation by PM Giorgia Meloni. Before embarking on his first overseas visit after taking an oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term, PM Modi stated that focus of his discussions during the G7 Summit would be on energy, artificial intelligence, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
In his departure statement PM Modi said "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."
'Looking Forward To Meeting Other Leaders At G7 Summit': PM Modi
"I am also looking forward to meeting other leaders participating in the Summit," PM Modi added.
In his statement, the PM also said "At the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, I am travelling to Apulia region in Italy to participate in the G7 Outreach summit on June 14".
PM Modi also expressed that he was glad that his first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G-7 Summit.
PM Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Meloni. "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 consolidating the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolstering cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions," he said.
MEA spokespersom Randhir Jaiswal also tweeted regarding PM Modi's Italy visit.
"PM Narendra Modi embarks on a visit to Apulia, Italy to attend the 50th G7 Summit under Italy’s Presidency. This is PM’s first overseas visit after being sworn-in for the third term. An opportunity to engage with G7 partners and other invited countries & international organisations in multilateral and bilateral format," Jaiswal tweeted.
The G7 comprises of seven countries including the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan.
The G7's current presidency is with Italy that is hosting the summit in that capacity. In 2021, Italy had hosted the G20 Summit, which was attended by PM Modi.