Indian PM Narendra Modi attended the three-day G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, over the weekend. On the sidelines of the meeting, Modi went to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and met several world leaders.
Along with US President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, and Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, Modi attended the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Hrioshima as well.
The Indian PM also met UK PM Rishi Sunak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and French President Emmanuel Macron to conduct bilateral talks and deepen strategic partnership.
Modi’s Opening Remarks at G7
PM Modi’s remarks came during the “Toward a Peaceful, Stable and Prosperous World” session at the G7 Hiroshima Summit. In his speech, he referred to his meeting with Zelensky the day before: “We heard President Zelensky today. I also met him yesterday. I do not consider the current situation as an issue of politics or economy. I believe that this is a matter of humanity, a matter of human values. From the very beginning, we have maintained that dialogue and diplomacy is the only way. And we will make every possible effort to contribute, in whatever way India can, to resolving this situation.”
The Indian leader emphasised the impact of war on food and energy security and the UN’s ineffectiveness. “It is necessary that all countries respect the UN charter, international law and sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. Raise your voice together against unilateral attempts to change the status quo. India has always believed that any tension, any dispute, should be resolved through peaceful means, through dialogue,” he remarked.
Modi cited Buddha’s impact and teachings: “In India, and here in Japan too, Lord Buddha has been followed for thousands of years. There is no such problem in the modern age whose solution we cannot find in the teachings of the Buddha. Buddha had given the solution centuries ago to the war, unrest, and instability that the world is facing today. Lord Buddha has said: Enmity does not calm enmity. Enmity is pacified by affinity.”
PM Rishi Sunak met the PM of India, Narendra Modi at the G7 Summit in Japan. PM Modi passed on his warm congratulations on the coronation of his Majesty King Charles III. The leaders reflected on the deep ties between the UK and India, rooted in our human connections, and the… pic.twitter.com/LXi94QmF5d
— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2023
Meeting with UK’s Sunak
On Sunday, PM Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak reviewed the extensive strategic partnership between the two nations. They assessed the state of the negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). Modi and Sunak also committed to expanding their cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, and higher education sectors.
In addition, the two leaders talked about India’s presidency of the G20, and Modi said he was looking forward to welcoming Sunak to the G20 Summit in September in New Delhi. According to Sunak, the G20 presidency is crucial for global security and prosperity, and he strongly supports it.
The talks with President @LulaOficial were productive and wide ranging. India and Brazil will keep working together to deepen trade ties. We also discussed diversifying cooperation in sectors like agriculture, defence and more. pic.twitter.com/xEwAdN1lzx
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2023
Talks with Brazil’s Lula
It was the first meeting between Modi and Lula, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release. The two leaders noted that this year marked the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties.
Modi had productive and extensive discussions with Lula about ways to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly in trade, renewable energy, agriculture, dairy and animal husbandry and defence production sectors. They emphasised the need to set up a high-level meeting of business executives from both nations.
The leaders discussed regional developments and highlighted the need for continued cooperation in multilateral structures and the long-standing need for multilateral institution reform.
"PM Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. Leaders discussed PM’s forthcoming visit to France for Bastille Day and took stock of the progress in the India-France Strategic Partnership. Talks covered a broad range of issues including… pic.twitter.com/ywmAsSRnzf
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2023
Bilateral Meeting with France
On Saturday, PM Modi said he had a great discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed several issues to further strengthen the strategic connections between France and India in several significant areas, including trade and military.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 advanced economies meeting in Hiroshima, only weeks before Modi’s visit to Paris. Modi thanked Macron for inviting him to be the Guest of Honour on Bastille Day in July 2023.
Peace Memorial Museum
On the third day of his Japan visit, PM Modi visited the Peace Memorial Museum, where he observed the documented exhibits and signed the visitor’s book. Modi and leaders of the G7-invited countries paid floral tribute at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan on Sunday.
"PM Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. Leaders discussed PM’s forthcoming visit to France for Bastille Day and took stock of the progress in the India-France Strategic Partnership. Talks covered a broad range of issues including… pic.twitter.com/ywmAsSRnzf
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2023
Quad Meeting
In his opening remarks at the Quad meeting on the sidelines of a G7 Summit, Modi told his counterparts that the group was a crucial platform for Indo-Pacific peace and stability. He also expressed that India’s willingness to host a Quad meeting in 2024.
The Indian PM emphasised furthering constructive coordination in fields including counterterrorism, maritime security, health security, disaster management, strategic technologies, and supply chain reliability. Modi believes that a vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific may have practical dimensions if countries work together.