G7 summit: PM Modi arrives in Munich for 2-day visit

MUNICH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Germany on Sunday for a two-day visit in which he is to attend the G7 summit along with leaders of the powerful bloc and its partner countries, to discuss energy, food security, terrorism, the environment and democracy. Countries.

At the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the G7 summit on June 26 and 27.

The summit is being hosted by Germany in its capacity as the chair of G7, a grouping of the world's seven richest nations.

"An early morning touchdown in Munich. PM @narendramodi will participate in the G-7 Summit. Later this evening, he will also address a community programme in Munich," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Twitter.

"At the invitation of @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz, PM @narendramodi arrives in Germany for the G7 Summit. Besides participating in @G7 discussions on climate, energy, food security, health, gender equality and more, PM will also hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.

The Ukraine crisis which has fueled the global food and energy crisis and caused geopolitical turmoil will also be a major point of discussion among the G7 leaders.

"During the sessions of the Summit, I will be exchanging views with the G7 counties, G7 partner countries and guest International Organisations on topical issues such as environment, energy, climate, food security, health, counter-terrorism, gender equality and democracy," Modi said in a statement ahead of his visit, according to PTI reports.

Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the Foreign Secretary on Friday said that Modi would hold bilateral meetings and talks with G7 leaders and guest nations on the sidelines of the G7 summit.

Germany, the host of the G7 Summit has invited Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa, apart from India, as guests to the summit to recognise the democracies of the global south as its partners.

Modi said that he was looking forward to meeting with India's Diaspora members from across Europe who greatly contribute to India's ties with European countries and contribute significantly to the local economy.

Modi will travel to the United Arab Emirates on June 28 from Germany to offer condolences on the death of the former President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who passed away on May 13 after battling illness for the last several years.