Diplomacy ... Namo doctrine : G7 Summit: Narendra Modi holds bilateral meetings with world leaders in Italy

 G7 Summit: PM Modi holds bilateral meetings with world leaders in Italy 

Prime Minister Modi held bilateral meetings with world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.

PM Modi arrived in Italy's Apulia earlier today to attend the outreach session of the G7 Summit and is expected to meet several leaders on the sidelines of the event on Friday. 

This is the Prime Minister's first foreign trip after being sworn in for a record third term.

"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," he tweeted.

Before departing for Italy, PM Modi said he was "glad" that his first foreign visit in his third consecutive term as Prime Minister was to the European nation for the G7 Summit.

As the current Chair of the G7, Italy is hosting the gathering of the bloc of seven major advanced economies, including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US, along with the European Union.  

PM Modi and French President Macron discussed ways to further strengthen partnership including in areas of defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, critical technologies, connectivity and culture, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Both leaders agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with increased focus on 'Make in India', the MEA said in a statement.

PM Modi will address an outreach session of the G7 Summit, according to MEA.

"The Prime Minister of India has arrived at Brindisi Airport in Italy to participate in the G7 Summit. Tomorrow (Friday) is a packed day for him. We have several bilateral meetings with world leaders lined up. He will also be addressing the outreach session of the G7 Summit," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

India hosted the G20 Summit in Delhi last September, which was also attended by the world leaders gathering at the Apulia meet being held under the Italian presidency. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will welcome Modi as the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy on Friday.

Modi won the polls for the ruling NDA but his own party on its own could not muster the majority mark.

The allegation is Modi's radical Hindutva push did not work. They say the Modi govrenment failed to deliver. Unemployment and price rises are very high, and the poor and marginalized are reportedly greatly suffering. 

"Their income has plummeted and there is no hope of the situation improving in the near future. The last ten years have witnessed a vast gap between the promise and delivery of the central government," 'The Guardian'  said.