Modi attends G7 outreach while China plays cold war

Modi embarks on Italy visit to attend G7 outreach focussed on Ukraine War

By Manish Anand

New Delhi, June 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the G7 outreach summit on Friday. On the day he emplaned for Italy, Modi gave another extension to the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni will play host to the leaders of the industrialized nations, as well as outreach invitees. Modi has regularly been attending the G7 summits.

Modi’s visit to Italy is first after he took oath as the prime minister for the third term in a row. In his backing of Doval and the Union Minister for External Affairs, S Jaishankar, Modi has dropped enough indications that the foreign policy of his government will see no change.

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Shi Jiangtao in an opinion piece in The South China Post spotlighted Chinese President Xi Jinping not yet congratulating Modi for taking oath for the third term. He argued that Xi has sent out a stern message to Modi by not congratulating him.

Xi had promptly congratulated the winning Mexican leader, and others. Yet, the Chinese embassy in India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing had commented on the poll victory of Modi in the Lok Sabha elections.

While Modi is seen aligned with G7 by attending its meetings regularly, China has steadfastly been crafting an eastward strategic heft to counter the western block.

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Philippines and the South China Sea have been the fresh flash points in the Indo Pacific. But the G7 leaders have been distracted to stay put with their focus on the Indo Pacific.

France and Germany have recently shown that they have different worldviews than others in the western block about China. France had rolled out red carpet for Xi last month.

“I am glad that my first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit. I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021,” the prime minister said before emplaning for Italy.

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The prime minister stated that the G7 outreach summit will see focus on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean.

Modi underlined the efforts for cooperation in the Indo Pacific.

“Today the G7 in Bari will show unity. Unity for Ukraine’s freedom. We work on further financial support. Unity for a peaceful and stable Middle East and the three-phase plan,” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU Commission on the G7 summit.

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Saudi Arabia skipped the G7 outreach summit, saying that the crown prince was busy with Haj. China had rolled out red carpet for the Saudi Arabian leadership.

While a section of the diplomatic experts argue that the G7 summits remain just talking shops, India may need to craft its engagement with the industrialised world for the national gains.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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