IN THE first go to to Hiroshima by an Indian Prime Minister since India performed nuclear assessments in 1974, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Japanese metropolis on Friday for the G7 leaders’ summit.
Besides bilateral conferences with varied leaders on the sidelines of the summit, diplomats are working in direction of scheduling Modi’s assembly with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who can be anticipated in Hiroshima, and a Quad leaders’ assembly with US President Joe Biden, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Modi can be scheduled to fulfill British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Before leaving for Japan, Modi mentioned: “My presence in this G7 summit is particularly meaningful as India holds the G20 presidency this year. I look forward to exchanging views with the G7 countries and other invited partners on challenges that the world faces and the need to collectively address them. I would also be holding bilateral meetings with some of the leaders attending the summit.” In an interview to Tokyo-based newspaper Nikkei Asia, Modi mentioned he would “amplify the voices and concerns of the Global South” international locations on the G7 summit, and “foster synergy” with the broader G20 he’s internet hosting later this yr.
He mentioned he was wanting ahead to discussing international modifications and challenges in areas resembling vitality, digital expertise and provide chains. “I will emphasise India’s role as a reliable partner in addressing these challenges,” he mentioned.
Modi mentioned that India and Japan’s shared values of democracy, freedom and the rule of regulation have introduced them nearer. “We now see a growing convergence in our political, strategic, security and economic interests,” he mentioned within the interview.
On the Russia-Ukraine struggle, he mentioned: “India stands on the side of peace, and will remain firmly there. We are committed to supporting those who face challenges in meeting their basic needs, especially in the face of rising costs of food, fuel and fertilisers. We maintain communication with both Russia and Ukraine… Cooperation and collaboration should define our times, not conflict.”
Asked if India may play the position of mediator, he mentioned the nation’s place on the Ukraine battle “is clear and unwavering”.
On India’s participation in numerous groupings just like the Quad and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Modi mentioned New Delhi has by no means wedded itself to safety alliances. “Instead, we engage with a wide range of friends and like-minded partners around the world based on our national interests,” he mentioned.
The Quad international locations’ collective focus is on “fostering a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region,” he mentioned. On the opposite hand, the SCO performs a big position in India’s engagement with the “important” Central Asian area. “Participating in these two groups is not contradictory or mutually exclusive for India,” he mentioned.
“As a member of the Global South, our interest in any plurilateral setting is to serve as a bridge between diverse voices and contribute to a constructive and positive agenda,” Modi mentioned.