Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Italy this week, marking his first overseas trip since being sworn in for a historic third term. This significant visit comes just days after his inauguration on Sunday.
During this trip, PM Modi will join global leaders at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, which is scheduled to take place in Borgo Egnazia, Fasano, in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13-15. Modi is expected to arrive on June 14 and participate in the summit for one day.
The elevation of India-Italy bilateral relations to a “strategic partnership” was a notable outcome of the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to New Delhi in March 2023. This strategic partnership will likely be a key focus during Modi’s visit to Italy.
The G7 summit is a major reason why the guest list for Modi’s swearing-in ceremony was kept selective. According to sources cited by the news agency ANI, this strategic decision ensured that PM Modi could efficiently prepare for the international event. The swearing-in ceremony saw the attendance of top leaders from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles, reflecting New Delhi’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’. This policy emphasizes strengthening ties with key island nations in the Indian Ocean region.
In a social media post on April 25, PM Modi highlighted his conversation with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. He stated, “Spoke with PM Giorgia Meloni and extended greetings as Italy celebrates its Liberation day today. Thanked her for the invite to the G7 summit in June. Discussed taking forward G20 India outcomes at the G7. Reaffirmed commitment to deepening our Strategic Partnership.”
The G7 summit serves as an informal international forum comprising Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US. Additionally, the president of the European Council and the president of the European Commission will be in attendance to represent the European Union. Italy has held the presidency of the forum since January 1 of this year.
Following the G7 summit, Switzerland is set to host the Ukraine peace summit over the weekend. This summit will see participation from 90 countries and organizations, half of which are from Europe. However, media reports indicate that India is unlikely to attend this summit.
PM Modi’s visit to Italy for the G7 summit is not only significant for international diplomacy but also underscores the growing strategic partnership between India and Italy. This visit comes at a crucial time when global leaders are convening to discuss pressing international issues, and it presents an opportunity for India to reinforce its role on the global stage.
In conclusion, PM Modi’s upcoming visit to Italy for the G7 summit highlights the importance of international cooperation and strategic partnerships in addressing global challenges. The focus on strengthening India-Italy relations and participating in high-level discussions with world leaders underscores India’s commitment to playing a proactive role in global governance and diplomacy.
