G7 Summit 2024 highlights: PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni

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: Ministry of External Affairs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets British counterpart Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. The two leaders hug each other.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy.

In draft statement, the G7 resolves to continue actions against countries backing Russia in Ukraine war.

“We will continue taking measures against actors in China and third countries that materially support Russia's war machine,” the statement says.

Leaders of the G7 nations discuss migration in the fourth session of the Summit.

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Italy is his first in his third term, for which he was sworn-in on June 9, five days after results of the Lok Sabha elections were declared. This is also his third consecutive term as PM.

The G7 democracies are also looking for a shared response to China's alleged support of Russia's military actions, which the US says is worsening the war in Ukraine.

"G7 countries agree on how to handle China," a Japanese government source told AFP.

The meeting happens as trade relations between China and the West worsen. For example, the European Union recently announced new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The US, Japan, and the European Union, which joins G7 summits as an unofficial eighth member, are all worried about China's "industrial overcapacity."

They say Beijing's large subsidies, especially in green energy and technology like solar panels and electric vehicles, lead to very cheap products that flood the global market, making it hard for Western companies to compete, especially in the green tech industry.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni greeted world leaders with a 'namaste' at the G7 Summit on Thursday. Videos of Meloni's gesture, where she welcomed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with folded hands, are going viral on social media. Netizens are praising Meloni for her traditional Indian greeting.

A few days after a misstep with French President Emmanuel Macron, Joe Biden found himself in another awkward situation. During a G-7 event in Apulia, Italy, the US President appeared to lose his way. While world leaders watched a parachute display, Biden wandered off and started talking to an officer who was packing a bag. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had to step in and guide Biden back to his place, resulting in an awkward moment during a group photo. Additionally, Biden was seen saluting Meloni before walking away, adding to the series of uncomfortable interactions.

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When French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy for the G7 summit on Thursday, he could have seemed a bit downcast. However, despite recently dissolving parliament and putting France into a turbulent political time just before the Olympic Games, he appeared all smiles as he was greeted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Macron's decision came after the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) defeated his party in the EU parliamentary elections, weakening his position and surprising some of his closest allies, according to diplomats.

On Friday, the second day of the G7 summit, leaders will focus on migration, aiming to combat trafficking and boost investment in countries where migrants begin their often dangerous journeys. Italy, the summit host, prioritizes this issue, with Premier Giorgia Meloni pushing for more funding for African nations to reduce migration to Europe.

Held at a luxury resort in Italy’s Puglia region, the summit will also address global conflicts and the rise of artificial intelligence. Long-standing topics like climate change and China are also on the agenda. At the start of the summit, leaders pledged tens of billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine.

Pope Francis, known for his concerns about artificial intelligence (AI), will address G7 leaders for the first time at their annual summit in southern Italy. His worries about AI extend beyond viral photos to the ethical implications of its rapid advancement, particularly with generative AI like OpenAI's ChatGPT. He advocates for international agreements to regulate AI development, stressing the importance of incorporating human values like compassion, morality, and forgiveness. Francis believes unchecked AI poses significant risks without these ethical safeguards, urging global cooperation to ensure its responsible use.

G7 leaders are focusing on China during their Italy summit's second day on Friday. They aim to safeguard their industries without escalating into a trade war with Beijing. US President Joe Biden and leaders from Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Britain will discuss fair trade, particularly in green technology, in Puglia. The G7 nations, wealthy democracies, also seek a unified approach to China's reported backing of Russia's military activities, which the US claims is exacerbating the conflict in Ukraine.

Leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) major industrial nations are focusing on migration on the summit's second day Friday. They aim to tackle issues like human trafficking and increase investments in countries where migrants often begin perilous journeys.

The summit, held at a luxurious resort in Italy's southern Puglia region, is covering various critical topics including financial aid for Ukraine, the Gaza conflict, artificial intelligence, climate change, and China's economic policies.

However, disagreements have surfaced over the wording of the summit's final statement, particularly regarding a mention of abortion.

Italy, hosting the summit, has a keen interest in migration as it is a major entry point into the European Union for people escaping conflict and poverty in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

During his day-long visit, Modi will join a summit session called "Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean," hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and attended by Pope Francis. The Pope will also have a private meeting with Modi. Additionally, Modi has several meetings planned with world leaders at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia.

Prime Minister posted on X, “Landed in Italy to take part in the G7 Summit. Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future.”

U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 10-year security agreement on Thursday to strengthen Ukraine's defense against Russian forces and move closer to NATO membership.

The agreement, signed during the G7 summit in Italy, pledges ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine's security, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, according to officials.

After agreeing to a security pact with the US, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the "agreement is a step forward" towards Kyiv's goal of joining NATO, according to CNN. Zelenskyy spoke at a press conference with US President Joe Biden during the G7 Summit in Italy on Thursday.

“It states that America supports Ukraine's future membership in NATO and recognizes that our security agreement is a bridge to Ukraine's membership in NATO,” he said as per CNN.

Group of Seven (G7) leaders will wrap up their annual summit on Friday, with China being a major topic of discussion before Pope Francis makes a historic appearance to talk about artificial intelligence (AI).

The pope will be joined by 10 other heads of state and government, including India's prime minister and Jordan's king, as the G7 opens its doors to outsiders to show it isn't an exclusive club.

On the first day of their meeting in southern Italy, the G7 nations agreed on a deal to provide $50 billion in loans for Ukraine, funded by interest from frozen Russian assets, calling it a strong signal of Western resolve.