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News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Modi's G7 Playbook: Advancing India's Interests Amid Complex Global Geopolitics
Last Updated: In the backdrop of domestic criticism of his foreign policy, Narendra Modi concluded what was a very successful G7 visit, no less than in Canada Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded what has become an annual occurrence since 2019, his participation at the G7 summit. In the backdrop of domestic criticism of his foreign policy, Modi concluded what was a very successful G7 visit, no less than in Canada. India and Canada reconciled after an intense period of diplomatic fallout. Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed Modi with open arms, and both leaders agreed to reinstate their high commissions and work towards the betterment of the people and the planet. ● Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with whom he was spotted sharing a light moment and then an important discussion on India-Italy relations and addressing issues that plague the people of both countries. ● French President Emmanuel Macron, with whom he was also captured sharing what looked like an incredibly funny moment and discussing the important subjects that will take India-French relations to newer heights. ● Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ● German Chancellor Friedrich Merz These and others were on the list of people that Modi met and interacted with during the summit. Modi's G7 It was looking rather bleak leading up to the G7 meeting. For a long time, it was a situation of 'will they, won't they" send the invite, due to the diplomatic strain that had caused undue damage to relations under the Justin Trudeau administration. The fallout had started when former Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, in a bid to keep control of his government and save his prime ministership, had supported radical and separatist groups working against India. But his failure to keep the rest of the Canadians happy, who had been hoping for affordable housing and jobs, got him voted out. A bitter rivalry with India, its citizens, and the Indian government only added to his earlier-than-planned political demise. It soon changed as the other participating nations unanimously requested India's presence at this summit of the world's elite countries. As such, Canada adhered, and India was invited. In India, criticisms surrounding Modi's foreign policy once again started to gain pace when US President Donald Trump ambiguously left the grouping in Kananaskis and returned to Washington. Asim Munir, Pakistan's puppet master and military dictator, had reached the US capital. Speaking to reporters after their meeting, President Trump stated that he believed Pakistan, with its deeper understanding of Iran, could play a key role in de-escalating the situation with Israel. Trump once again spoke on the recent India-Pakistan face-off, saying both countries were 'going at it" and crediting his outreach with defusing the crisis. Before leaving for Croatia, Modi also took a call with Trump, who suggested a visit to Washington. It was promptly declined due to Modi's prescheduled visit, and Munir's presence in Washington would have been inconceivable to the Indian Prime Minister and the people of India, especially if Trump had resorted to his underhanded tactics of using the Oval Office as the world's theatre and attempted to force another mediation. Clearly, Modi was right to trust any such instincts. During the call, Modi also made sure to harden India's stance on terrorism and the anti-terror Operation Sindoor and cleared the air on Trump's participation in the ceasefire with Pakistan. He clarified that no topics related to trade were discussed in connection with Operation Sindoor. He also reiterated that India has never accepted third-party mediation and will not accept such mediation in the future. Furthermore, he emphasised that India will now treat acts of terrorism not as proxy actions but as acts of war. After declining Trump's invitation, Modi invited the US President to India for the Quad Summit, which will be held in New Delhi later this year. The invitation was accepted. Global South Takes the Lead While the specific G7 nations were preoccupied with their tangled webs of sanctions, conflicts, and internal politics, Modi seized the agenda and, once again, fist on the table, took the issues of the Global South to the world's elite. His intervention was not a polite request but a powerful declaration that the era of the Global South being a passive spectator is over. India considers it a fundamental responsibility to champion the concerns of nations long sidelined in the corridors of power. Modi framed the Global South's plight not as a plea for help, but as something that Canada, Germany, France, and all the others in this grouping require for global stability. In no uncertain terms were the global leaders reminded that it is the developing world that suffers first and worst from the geopolitical games played by the elite powers; crises in food, fuel, and finance always hit them the hardest. Modi's declaration, 'No one in the Global South should be left behind", was him making it clear that the G7's vision of world order is dangerously incomplete without the active and equitable participation of the world's majority, a majority that India is now unapologetically leading. The AI-Energy Nexus Another subject that Modi cut through was the West's high-minded, often hollow discourse on artificial intelligence. Modi delivered a much-needed reality check, pointing out the inconvenient truth that 'AI itself is an energy-intensive technology". As such, the majority of the Global South countries stand the chance of being left behind. PM Modi's message was as simple as it could get: a tech-driven society can only be sustainable through renewable energy. And for the detractors, this isn't just theory; Modi has backed it up domestically and internationally with pioneering initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance as functioning global platforms. More pointedly, India had met its Paris climate goals well ahead of schedule, and as of March 31, 2025, renewable energy accounted for 46.3% of the total installed capacity. India is also one of the major proponent nations of AI, and as a response to it, India's AI talent pool has grown faster than any other country, expanding by 252%. Needs create demand, demand creates jobs, and jobs create specific talent pools. Tackling 21st-Century Threats: From Deepfakes to Terrorism Modi also did not shy away from confronting the gravest threats of our age. Without mincing words, he singled out the menace of 'deepfake" technology as a 'great concern" and proposed a solution: mandatory watermarking or a clear declaration on all AI-generated content. It was a call for a global tech governance regime built on accountability, a stark contrast to the move fast and break the market ethos, which most tech companies can be accused of, that has unleashed so much digital chaos upon the world. When the conversation turned to terrorism, his tone hardened further. After thanking the leaders for condemning the ghastly Pahalgam attack, he used the moment to call out the West's crippling hypocrisy. top videos View all His statement that there can be 'no place for double standards on terrorism" was a direct shot at the selective outrage that has long plagued global counter-terror efforts. He laid bare the absurdity of a system where sanctions are deployed at will for political reasons, while, in his words, 'countries that openly support terrorism are rewarded". He drew a clear red line, warning that any nation providing sanctuary or support to terrorists would be forced to 'pay the price". It was not a request but a promise and a signal that under Modi, India would no longer tolerate the duplicity that has cost it so dearly. To have the Pakistani military dictator in Washington at the time, with Trump in the US to meet him, even if it was seemingly for the Iran-Israel conflict, in which Pakistan supports Iran, the message on duplicity could not have been delivered at a better time. About the Author Sohil Sinha Sohil Sinha is a Sub Editor at News18. He writes on foreign affairs, geopolitics along with domestic policy and infrastructure projects. tags : Asim Munir canada donald trump G7 iran israel United states view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 19, 2025, 08:00 IST News opinion Opinion | Modi's G7 Playbook: Advancing India's Interests Amid Complex Global Geopolitics Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
18-06-2025
- Business
- News18
'India's Friendship With Italy...': PM Modi, Meloni Reaffirm Strong Bilateral Ties In Canada
Last Updated: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian PM Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, highlighting the deepening India-Italy friendship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Canada, met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis. During his meeting with Meloni, the Prime Minister expressed his enthusiasm for the growing friendship between India and Italy, stating that their bilateral relationship will continue to strengthen, benefiting both nations. 'India's friendship with Italy will continue to get stronger, greatly benefitting our people!" PM Modi wrote, as she quoted one of Meloni's posts, which read, 'Italy and India, linked by a great friendship". A picture of both the leaders, shared by the Italian Prime Minister, showed them shaking hands in the middle of a conversation. @GiorgiaMeloni — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 17, 2025 PM Modi and Meloni have showcased their friendly rapport in multiple videos and selfies, including one taken during the COP28 Summit in Dubai, where Meloni captioned the photo 'Good friends at COP28, #Melodi". Their friendly interaction marks a significant diplomatic connection between Italy and India, with both leaders expressing enthusiasm for collaborative efforts in areas like sustainability, energy, and industry. Later, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in an official statement, said India and Canada have agreed to restore High Commissioners to each other's capitals at an early date, the first in 'calibrated steps" to restore stability to the 'very important relationship." Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney had a 'very positive and constructive meeting" on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. Meanwhile, a statement issued by the office of the Canadian Prime Minister said that Carney and Modi reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity. 'The leaders agreed to designate new high commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries," the statement read. First Published: June 18, 2025, 07:27 IST
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Business Standard
06-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India, Italy to increase cooperation in aerospace, energy, mobility, auto
India and Italy have agreed to increase cooperation in areas such as manufacturing, auto, aerospace, energy transition, migration and mobility, an official statement said on Friday. These issues were discussed during the meetings between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani. Brescia is Italy's manufacturing hub. "India and Italy agreed to prioritise cooperation in several emerging and strategic sectors. These include Industry 4.0, aerospace, energy transition, and sustainable mobility," the commerce ministry said. The two sides also stressed the importance of joint efforts in skill development, digital transformation, migration and mobility, as well as global connectivity initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The two leaders co-chaired the 22nd session of the India-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC). The ministry said that several concrete outcomes emerged from the JCEC, and that includes the two countries agreeing to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and food processing, and to set up Joint Working Groups in the automobile and space sectors. "Both sides identified collaboration opportunities in sustainable agri-value chains, agri-machinery, food packaging technologies, and renewable energy," it said. They also agreed to work together in areas such as green hydrogen and biofuels and expressed intent to facilitate the movement of skilled professionals between the two countries. A strong Indian business delegation comprising top leadership from nearly 90 companies accompanied the Minister during the visit. The delegation visited Italian industries and held several meetings with local companies. Goyal also held one-on-one interactions with Italian corporate leaders and welcomed their plans to expand operations, manufacturing, or establish a presence in India.
India Gazette
05-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India accelerates EU trade deal push with three high-level meetings in five weeks
Brescia [Italy], June 5 (ANI): India is fast-tracking negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union, with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal holding three crucial meetings with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic within just 35 days. Speaking to reporters during his two-day visit to Italy, Goyal emphasised the unprecedented pace of discussions as evidence of both sides' commitment to concluding the long-awaited trade pact. 'We have held three meetings in 35 days. It shows our shared commitment to the FTA... we are trying to do it faster,' Goyal said Thursday, highlighting India's determination to expedite the negotiation process. The rapid-fire diplomatic engagement included meetings on May 1 and May 23 in Brussels, followed by a third round of talks that concluded June 2 in Paris. This intensive schedule reflects the urgency both sides attach to finalising the agreement. India brings significant momentum to these talks, having recently concluded similar agreements with the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA)--comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland--and the United Kingdom. The current EU negotiations represent the resumption of talks that stalled for over eight years. India and the 27-member European Union bloc restarted comprehensive FTA discussions in June 2022, alongside negotiations for an investment protection agreement and a geographical indications pact. The political commitment reached its peak in February when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to seal the trade deal by year-end, setting an ambitious timeline for conclusion. 'We are making rapid progress on the very vibrant FTA, which would open opportunities for businesses on both sides,' Goyal said, describing the potential agreement as 'very strong and mutually beneficial.' However, the minister acknowledged that current India-Italy bilateral trade remains 'low and sub-optimal' at approximately $15 billion in goods, despite enormous untapped potential between the two economies. Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoed the sentiment for enhanced economic cooperation, describing India and Italy as 'natural partners.' He emphasised Italy's focus on boosting exports to India while actively seeking Indian investments in Italian markets. 'Our goal is to reduce trade barriers,' Tajani said, addressing broader concerns about global trade tensions. When questioned about US tariffs on steel and aluminium, he maintained that 'duties are never positive' and reiterated the importance of reducing trade barriers. The accelerated pace of India-EU negotiations comes at a critical time for global trade relationships, with both sides seeking to diversify economic partnerships and reduce dependence on other major trading blocs. Success in these talks could establish a template for India's engagement with other European partners and significantly reshape trade flows between Asia and Europe. (ANI)
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'Danger of critical minerals': Commerce minister Piyush Goyal in Italy; calls for diversification of mineral supply chains
Commerce and industry minister urged the global community to diversify supply chains for critical minerals, warning that heavy reliance on a handful of countries poses a serious risk to economic stability and long-term growth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During his visit to Italy, Goyal told reporters that the current concentration of both extraction and processing of these essential resources in limited geographies makes global supply chains dangerously vulnerable, especially as the world transitions towards clean energy. "I think it is important that the world recognises the danger of critical minerals, and supply and processing being concentrated only in particular geographies, which at any point in time can hurt economic development," he said after meetings with several Italian firms involved in the critical minerals sector. Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements are vital to modern energy technologies, powering everything from electric vehicles to wind turbines. However, the supply of these materials is heavily dominated by China, which has acquired substantial reserves and processing capacity across the globe, raising concerns about strategic vulnerabilities. In response to these vulnerabilities, Goyal outlined India's strategy to build resilience into its own supply chain. He said that the government is promoting innovation and supporting startups to develop alternative methods for processing and using critical minerals. "This will help reduce our over-dependence and over-reliance on certain critical minerals," he explained, underlining the role of research and development in securing a more self-reliant future. However, he admitted India's efforts are still evolving. "We are still at a stage of firming up how it will pan out, what will be the route it will take and which are the countries which will support it - financially and through right of way," Goyal said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The minister's visit also laid the groundwork for a possible India-Italy partnership in this sector. Italian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Antonio Tajani suggested that the two countries could collaborate in this segment, particularly through private sector joint ventures focused on mineral processing and technology innovation.
