Tag: G7

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G7 backs Ukraine’s NATO bid

Italian defence minister warns global security framework is increasingly precarious due to competing world visions…reports Asian Lite News

Defence ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries have backed Ukraine’s “irreversible” path to NATO membership and expressed concern over threats to United Nations peacekeepers targeted by Israel in Lebanon.

The one-day gathering in Naples on Saturday marks the G7’s first ministerial meeting dedicated to defence.

Italy holds the G7’s rotating presidency for 2024 as the countries grapple with a range of international issues, including the Russian advance in Ukraine, China’s military activities around Taiwan and heightened tensions along the border of North and South Korea.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told reporters the G7 could not solve global tensions alone but needed to stimulate action across the international community. “The G7 must be like a gadfly that has the strength to sting the rest of the world,” he said at a news conference.

Along with Italy, the G7’s members are Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and United States. Representatives of NATO and the European Union and Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov also joined the talks. In an earlier address, Crosetto warned of a “deteriorated security framework” across the world and said near-term forecasts for conflict resolution “cannot be positive”.

Tensions have been fuelled by confrontation between “two different, perhaps incompatible visions of the world”, he said. In its final statement, the G7 backed Kyiv’s “irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership”.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said he was worried by the North Korean contribution to the Russian war effort.

“[It] makes it clear that this conflict is spreading to other regions of the world in terms of its reach,” he said as the G7 also expressed concerns over China’s support of Russia and Beijing’s recent military drills around Taiwan.

The G7 meeting came two days after Israel announced it had killed Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, accused of being the mastermind of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which responded with a devastating assault on Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sinwar’s death in Gaza signalled “the beginning of the end” of the war against Hamas while US President Joe Biden said it opened the door to “a path to peace”. But some analysts said Sinwar’s killing could lead to a deepening of Israel’s presence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The G7’s joint declaration called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives still held by Hamas, saying attacks and retaliation risked “fuelling uncontrollable escalation in the Middle East”.

The EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said the killing of Sinwar could raise the chances of an end to the conflict in Gaza, finally allowing more humanitarian support for the war-battered population.

He said the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, which was recently targeted by Israel in its conflict against Hezbollah, could be made more effective but it would be up to the UN Security Council to make decisions on its future.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he would like Israel to scale back some of its strikes on Beirut and added that Israel had told him it had no intention of targeting UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

Italy is a major contributor to the peacekeeping force, which is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon. Israeli attacks have angered Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who visited Lebanon and Jordan on Friday.

Josep Borell, the High Representative of the European Union, and Mark Rutte, NATO’s Secretary General, also attended the one-day meeting.

Their joint declaration also condemned Iran’s ballistic missiles and large-scale attacks against Israel and emphasised the importance for all parties to act in accordance with international law.

The G7 defence chiefs also expressed concern over all threats to UNIFIL’s security in Lebanon, saying the protection of the peacekeepers is incumbent upon all parties to a conflict. Security in Africa and developments in the Asia-Pacific region were also discussed.

Italy holds the 2024 rotating chairmanship of the G7, a group that also includes the United States, Canada, Japan, Britain, Germany, and France.

Defence ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries have expressed concerns over the escalating tensions in the Middle East. In a joint statement issued on Saturday at their first summit of this year in the southern Italian city of Naples, the ministers said they were worried about “escalation” in the Middle East after Israeli attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Lebanon, Xinhua news agency reported.

“We express concern about all the threats to the security of UNIFIL,” the statement said. “The protection of peacekeepers is incumbent upon all parties to a conflict.”

The ministers of G7, which groups the UK, Italy, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, and the US, said they firmly support UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure the stability and security of Lebanon.

They all back a “significant and sustained increase” in humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as a sustainable pathway to a two-state solution.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the European Union (EU)’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell are invited to the meeting on Saturday. Borrell urged a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and respect for the UNIFIL in Lebanon.

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G7 highlights AI’s impact on cultural sector

The leaders agreed to work together to address the ethical, legal, economic, and social implications of Generative AI and AI-powered tools for the cultural and creative industries…reports Asian Lite News

Alongside the opportunities, significant risks posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the cultural sector were highlighted at the Group of Seven (G7) ministers’ cultural meeting, which concluded in Naples, Italy.

AI is “increasingly permeating the value chains in the cultural and creative sectors and industries, with impacts on the working conditions and the livelihoods of culture professionals and the sustainability of a vibrant and vital cultural ecosystem,” said the declaration on Saturday, which was issued by ministers of culture from the G7 countries during the three-day talks.

The leaders agreed to work together to address the ethical, legal, economic, and social implications of Generative AI and AI-powered tools for the cultural and creative industries, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting Rai News.

The leaders also called on “identification and authentication, where technically feasible, of cultural content entirely or partially generated, modified or altered by AI systems.”

The focus on the challenges related to artificial intelligence has been one of the main areas of focus during Italy’s 2024 presidency of the G7.

According to media reports, a protest against the G7 cultural meeting occurred Saturday morning in central Naples. Around fifty demonstrators marched, rolling out a red carpet as a symbolic critique of the “political showcase” occurring.

Google unveils $120m ‘Global AI Opportunity Fund’

 Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai has announced a $120 million ‘Global AI Opportunity Fund’ at the UN Summit of the Future in the US.

Pichai said that the initiative will invest “one hundred and twenty million dollars to make AI education and training available in communities around the world. We’re providing this in local languages, in partnership with nonprofits and NGOs”.

Leaders from around the world have gathered for the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York — including the first ever “Summit of the Future”.

Speaking at he event, Pichai said that “growing up in Chennai, India, with my family, the arrival of each new technology improved our lives in meaningful ways.”

“The technology that changed my life the most was the computer. I didn’t have much access to one growing up. When I came to graduate school in the US, there were labs full of machines I could use anytime I wanted — it was mind blowing. Access to computing inspired me to pursue a career where I could bring technology to more people,” he mentioned.

Today, 15 of Google products serve more than half a billion people and businesses each. And six of them – such as Search, Maps and Drive – each serve more than 2 billion.

Pichai said that the company has been investing in AI research, tools, and infrastructure for two decades.

“Using AI, in just the last year, we have added 110 new languages to Google Translate, spoken by half a billion people around the world. That brings our total to 246 languages, and we’re working toward 1,000 of the world’s most spoken languages,” informed the Google CEO.

Some studies show that AI could boost global labor productivity by 1.4 percentage points, and increase global GDP by 7 per cent, within the next decade.

For example, AI is helping improve operations and logistics in emerging markets, where connectivity, infrastructure and traffic congestion are big challenges.

Pichai said that AI must be developed, deployed, and used responsibly, from the start.

“We’re guided by our AI Principles, which we published back in 2018. And we work with others across the industry, academia, the UN, and governments in efforts like the Frontier Model Forum, the OECD, and the G7 Hiroshima Process,” he said.

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G7 Urges Calm in Middle East

Tensions intensified following the assassinations of Hezbollah’s senior military commander, Fouad Shokor, in Beirut, and Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran on July 31….reports Asian Lite News

The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries urged all actors involved in the current Middle East crisis to refrain from any step that could possibly escalate the conflict further.

“We call on the parties concerned to desist from any initiative that could hinder the path of dialogue and moderation and encourage a new escalation,” the G7 Italian presidency said in a statement on Sunday.

After discussing the latest developments in a videoconference, the ministers expressed “strong concern about recent events that threaten to lead to a regionalisation of the crisis, starting with Lebanon,” according to Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

The G7 extraordinary meeting was called after a recent escalation in the crisis, reports Xinhua news agency.

Tensions escalated after the assassinations of Lebanese group Hezbollah’s senior military commander, Fouad Shokor, in Beirut and Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 31.

A few days earlier, a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights had killed 12 children and teens.

Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah blamed Israel for the killings and threatened to retaliate. Israel claimed responsibility for Shokor’s death, saying it was in retaliation to the strike in the Golan, but it did not confirm involvement in the killing of Haniyeh.

Since then, the exchange of fire and rockets ongoing across the Israel-Lebanon border has intensified, and so have the diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis.

“We reaffirmed the priority of a successful conclusion of negotiations on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages and confirmed our commitment to intensify humanitarian aid to the populations of the Strip,” the G7 presidency stressed.

Also on Sunday, Italy’s Foreign Minister called on all Italians temporarily in Lebanon to leave the country as soon as possible due to “the worsening situation” and to all citizens to avoid travelling there. Earlier, many other governments, including those of France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Jordan also issued advisories.

The G7 comprises Canada, the US, France, the UK, Italy, Germany and Japan.

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G7 voices concerns on Venezuelan election

G7 foreign ministers called on “Venezuelan representatives to publish detailed election results in full transparency” and asked “to immediately share all information with the opposition and independent observers,” the statement said…reports Asian Lite News

Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers approved a declaration on Wednesday voicing solidarity with the Venezuelan people and concern about the announced election results, which sparked protests across the South American nation.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory in the country’s elections early this week, but the opposition contested the result and said multiple independent exit polls and quick counts decisively showed its candidate had won.

G7 foreign ministers called on “Venezuelan representatives to publish detailed election results in full transparency” and asked “to immediately share all information with the opposition and independent observers,” the statement said.

“We call for maximum restraint and for a peaceful, democratic and Venezuelan-led solution,” it added.

Italy holds the rotating presidency of the G7 for 2024. The group also includes Germany, France, Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States.

“On the Maduro regime, I have always maintained a firm condemnation since I have held office in European institutions,” said Antonio Tajani, the leader of the centre-right Forza Italia party and a former president of the European Union parliament.

“The announced results do not seem to reflect the real will of the Venezuelan people,” Tajani told lawmakers in the Italian lower house of parliament.

The U.S.-based Carter Center, which observed the vote, has said that the Venezuelan election “did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and cannot be considered democratic.”

Protesters have taken to the streets across Venezuela demanding Maduro acknowledge his defeat, although the electoral authority declared that he had won a third term with 51% of votes.

The opposition, which considers the election body to be in the pocket of a dictatorial government, said its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez had more than twice as many votes as Maduro based on the 90% of vote tallies it had been able to access.

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G7 and the growing importance of Global South

Several leaders from the Global South participated for an Outreach Summit to discuss issues relating to Africa, the Mediterranean, the Indo-Pacific and Artificial Intelligence. This was a recognition of the growing importance of the Global South in the corridors of power of world politics and economy, writes Ashok Sajjanhar

The 50th G7 Summit was organised in Italy on June 13-15, 2024.  Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the host of the Summit, invited several leaders from the Global South for an Outreach Summit on June 14 to discuss issues relating to Africa, the Mediterranean, the Indo-Pacific and Artificial Intelligence.


This was a recognition of the growing importance of the Global South in the corridors of power of world politics and economy.


India was the first to focus on this issue by organising two Voice of the Global South Summits in the context of its Presidency of the G20 in 2023.

Prime Minister Modi, fresh after his third successive win in the national elections, participated in the Outreach Summit.

This was his first foreign visit after being sworn in and became an occasion to underline the vitality of Indian democracy, establish contact with India’s principal partners from the developed and developing world, and share India’s perspectives on major global challenges and opportunities in the world.


PM Modi’s visit

In his address to the Outreach Session, PM Modi emphasised India’s four key principles for energy — availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability.

He asserted that India will place the ‘’priorities and concerns of the countries of the Global South on the world stage. We have given high priority to Africa in these efforts. We are proud that the G-20, under India’s chairmanship, made the African Union a permanent member.”


He committed that India will collaborate with all countries to ensure Artificial Intelligence is transparent, fair, secure, accessible, and responsible. He added that India was ‘’the first country to meet all its COP commitments ahead of time’’ and is working hard to reach “Net Zero” by 2070.

Bilateral meetings

During his visit, PM Modi engaged in structured, bilateral meetings with the Italian PM, the French President, the British PM and the Ukrainian President.

On the side-lines of the Summit, he also interacted with the US President, Pope Francis, the Japanese Prime Minister, and several others.

Discussions on expanding bilateral ties with different countries were held.


India’s growing influence

The fifth consecutive invitation to India is testimony to India’s growing clout in global affairs. India has emerged as a partner of choice for most important world powers.

Notwithstanding the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has emerged as the 5th largest global economy and is likely to become the third largest by the end of this decade, if not earlier.

India is today the fastest growing major economy with annual GDP growth of 8.2% last year. In the increasingly uncertain and turbulent global political and economic scenario, India is a ray of hope for political and economic stability and dynamism.

India’s successful Presidency of the G20 confers on it a bigger role and voice to speak authoritatively on the way forward in resolving problems of the world.


The summit

Major issues of discussion in the G7 Summit related to the war in Ukraine and the Middle East; providing a loan of US$50 billion to Ukraine to be paid from interest on the Russian frozen assets; pushback against China for its increasing assertiveness in South China Sea, and on economic front due to its overcapacity; Africa, the Indo-Pacific, migration, Artificial Intelligence, climate change etc.

Pope Francis made a historic appearance at the Summit to talk about the benefits and drawbacks of artificial intelligence. He said that AI represented an “epochal transformation” for mankind, but stressed the need for close oversight of the ever-developing technology to preserve human life and dignity.


Will G7 become G8 with India’s inclusion?  

The fifth consecutive invitation to India to G7 Summits and India’s rapidly growing economy has given rise to speculation that India could soon be invited to become the 8th member of the Grouping.

This is highly unlikely. Although India is 5th largest economy, soon to become the 3rd largest, its per capita income is very low at around US$2,000. The per capita GDP of G7 countries is around US$50-80,000. There is a huge mismatch between the two.

India has emerged as an important and effective voice of the Global South. This is its natural constituency. It will not be appropriate for it to jump ship and try to become a constituent of the G7.

By staying out of the G7 and yet participating in its annual sessions, India is able to project its own concerns and priorities, and of developing countries. It would not be able to fulfil this role if it were to become a full member of this developed country Club.

The current, existing arrangement in which India has emerged as a quasi-permanent invitee to the G7 Summits is a win-win situation for both India and G7 countries as well as developing countries whose interests and concerns India espouses.

The existing format ensures that while India is not a de-jure constituent of the G7, its regular presence at the Summits makes it a de-facto participant in all the significant G7 Summit level deliberations.

India’s presence at the G7 Summits provides an opportunity to India and the G7 countries to expand their partnerships in the area of trade, investment, security, technology etc.


The setting

The G7 was launched in the early 1970s to focus on the major economic issues of the day including the oil crisis, the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, and the ongoing global recession.

When it was constituted, the G7 accounted for 70% of the Global GDP. Today that figure has shrunk to 45% which, though lower, continues to be quite significant.

Notwithstanding this decline, the G7 countries continue to be major political, military, and technological powers and exercise significant influence in important global institutions.

This was the fifth time in a row that PM Modi was invited to the G7 gathering. India shares a considerable comfort level in political, economic, and social terms with the G7 countries. India also enjoys warm and cordial relations with all the G7 member states, barring Canada with whom there has been a spat in recent months.


Conclusion    

Despite the fact that the economic heft of G7 states has diminished somewhat over the last 50 years, they continue to be important and influential in fields of economics, investment, technology, security, political, military power etc. It is hence imperative for India to maintain vibrant contacts with them, at bilateral and also at multilateral level.


India has emerged in recent years as a bridge between the Global South and Developed North, and also as a link between USA and Europe in the West and Russia in the East. India as a rapidly growing economy, with increasing sway in global affairs, through its participation in G7 Summits, fulfils an important role in promoting peace, security, and economic development in the world.

(The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at Ananta Aspen Centre; he was the ambassador of India to Kazakhstan Sweden and Latvia; views expressed here are his own.) – India News Network

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China slams G7 as ‘tool for Western supremacy’

China further criticised the G7’s composition and relevance in today’s global context….reports Asian Lite News

China has criticised the G7 Leaders’ Communique, accusing the group of using China-related issues as a pretext to vilify and attack the nation.

In response to a media query on China’s comment to G7 Leaders’ Communique, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian denounced the G7’s statements as baseless and biased, reflecting what Beijing views as a continued effort to perpetuate US and Western dominance in global affairs.

“The G7 Leaders’ Communique again used China-related issues to vilify and attack China, resorting to the same old false accusations that have no factual, legal or moral basis and are filled with arrogance, bias and falsehood,” Lin Jian said, addressing the media.

China further criticised the G7’s composition and relevance in today’s global context. “The G7 does not represent the world. The seven countries only account for 10 per cent of the world’s population; even combined, they contribute less than China to global economic growth,” Lin Jian asserted, highlighting what Beijing perceives as a declining influence of the group.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the G7 has “long strayed from its original purpose of coordinating for stability in the global economic environment, and has increasingly become a political tool to perpetuate US and Western supremacy”.

“It puts its own rules and decisions above the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the international law, and has lost its ability to represent the world and credibility among the international community,” he remarked.

Regarding the G7’s stance on global peace and security, Lin Jian accused the group of exacerbating tensions through military maneuvers and regional interventions. “While claiming to safeguard world peace, the G7 keeps drawing lines along differences in ideology and values, forming exclusive groupings and inciting bloc confrontation,” Jian criticised, asserting that such actions undermine international order.

China also condemned the G7’s allegations of “Chinese overcapacity” as unjustified and motivated by protectionism. “The G7’s ‘Chinese overcapacity’ allegation is unsupported by facts or the laws of economy. It is just an excuse for protectionism,” he emphasised, pointing out the detrimental impact on global economic cooperation and climate initiatives.

The G7 Summit leaders have reaffirmed their dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific governed by international law.

“We reiterate our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, based on the rule of law, which is inclusive, prosperous, and secure, grounded on sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes, fundamental freedoms, and human rights,” the White House said in a statement on Friday.

The summit statement stressed that the G7 was not trying to harm China or thwart its economic development but would continue to take actions to protect the businesses from unfair practices, to level the playing field and remedy ongoing harm.

“We seek constructive and stable relations with China and recognise the importance of direct and candid engagement to express concerns and manage differences. We act in our national interest. Given China’s role in the international community, cooperation is necessary to address global challenges, and we continue to engage in areas of common interest,” the statement said.

“We call on China to step up efforts to promote international peace and security, and to work with us to tackle the climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises, combat illicit synthetic drug trafficking, ensure global macroeconomic stability, support global health security, and address vulnerable countries’ debt sustainability and financing needs,” the statement added.

The summit had participation from the seven member countries, the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and France, as well as the European Union. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had invited India as an ‘Outreach Country’ at the G7 summit held in Italy’s Apulia region from July 13-15.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, touching upon various subjects, including the transformative role of technology in human progress. (ANI)

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Convert tech monopoly into mass usage: Modi at G7

The Indian Prime Minister stressed helping to remove social inequalities and expanding human powers instead of limiting them…reports Asian Lite News

In his brief address at the Outreach Session of the recent G7 Summit held in Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched upon three key aspects that India is prioritizing: technology and Artificial Intelligence, energy security, and affordability, and last mile service delivery to its people.

Specifically on technology, PM Modi called on global leaders who converged in Italy to collectively ensure that the benefits of technology reach all sections of society, to realise the potential of every person in the society. He also stressed helping to remove social inequalities and expanding human powers instead of limiting them.

“The twenty-first century is the century of technology. There is hardly any aspect of human life that is deprived of the influence of technology. While on one hand technology gives the courage to take man to the moon, on the other hand it also creates challenges like cyber security,” said PM Modi in his intervention.

He in particular suggested converting monopolies in technology into mass usage. “We have to convert monopoly in technology into mass usage.”

Monopolisation means complete control of something, which prevents other people or companies, from having any share, influence, or access.

“We have to make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society,” the prime minister said.

India, he said, is striving for a better future through its human-centric approach. India is among the first few countries to formulate a National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence.

India has taken the path of building public digital infrastructure for serving citizens and UPI, Jan Dhan, Aadhar, ONDC and CoWin are some of the examples. A key emphasis of the Indian government has been on ensuring that the benefits of its innovation are not limited to India only; other countries, too, benefit from it.

He also touched upon the A.I. Mission. He said the mission is derived from the mantra “AI for All”.

As a founding member and lead chair of the Global Partnership for AI, PM Modi said India is promoting cooperation among all countries.

“During the G-20 Summit hosted by India last year, we emphasized the importance of international governance in the field of A.I. In the time to come, we will continue to work together with all countries to make A.I. transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible,” the prime minister added.

On the use of AI, India’s stance has always been that the internet and every other emerging technology should be deployed in a “safe and trusted” manner.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, PM Modi travelled to the Apulia region in Italy to participate in the G7 Outreach Summit earlier this week. This was his first overseas visit since assuming office for the third consecutive term. (ANI)

Modi, Macron bilateral pushes for defence cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with an increased focus on ‘Make in India’ when both leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit held in Italy.

“They (both the leaders) agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with an increased focus on ‘Make in India’,” a short statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Meloni, PM Modi travelled to the Apulia region in Italy to participate in the G7 Outreach Summit earlier this week. This was his first overseas visit since assuming office for the third consecutive term.

France is one of India’s key partners in the development of a self-reliant defence industrial and technological base. India and France are committed to cooperating in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries.

Several defence companies, in both countries, are currently working on various initiatives, including cooperation for the motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme with Safran Helicopter Engine, France. A shareholder’s agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India and Safran Helicopter Engine, France, has been concluded for engine development.

Safran Helicopter Engine and HAL collaborated on the transfer of technology of forging and casting for the Shakti Engine. This is also reflective of the French commitment to support technology transfer and the Make in India initiative. Another such example is the MoU between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), and Naval Group France, a leader in the European Naval Defence Industry, to collaborate in the field of surface ships that cater to the requirements of India and International Naval forces.

India is investing heavily in defence and aerospace manufacturing, with several defence hubs being set up. Indian defence PSUs have benefited, besides the companies in the private sector, as they have accumulated tremendously high returns on equities in the past few years, benefiting from the new orders.

Notably, many global companies have either shared or shown intent to share critical defence and aerospace knowledge with India.

This April, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan visited France, further reinforcing the bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations.

The interactions of CDS with Patrick Pailloux, Director of Civil and Military Cabinet of the Minister of the French Armed Forces, and Lt Gen Vincent Giraud, Chief of Military Cabinet of the Minister of the Armed Forces at the apex level and also with his counterpart, General Thierry Burkhard have enabled the exchange of views on areas of common interest and mutual security concerns.

Deliberations on enhancing the exchange of high-end dual-use technologies, besides discussions with the top leadership of the French Defence industry, including Dassault, Safran and Naval Groups, and Thales Alenia Space, towards futuristic capacity building of the Indian Armed Forces, are expected to provide an impetus to indigenization.

India and France had decided to deepen their cooperation in all areas of the space sector by strengthening their programmes of common interest.

The India-France Strategic Partnership has gathered significant momentum over time and has now evolved into an even closer and more multifaceted relationship that spans diverse areas of cooperation. In 1998, the two countries upgraded their partnership to a strategic level.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Indo-French partnership, both countries agreed in July 2023 to adopt a roadmap to set the course for the bilateral relationship up to 2047, which will celebrate the centenary of India’s independence, the centenary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and 50 years of the strategic partnership. (ANI)

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Modi Presents India’s Views At G7

Modi at G7

PM Modi also thanked the people and government of Italy “for their warm hospitality”.

After attending the G7 meeting and holding multiple bilaterals during his day-long visit to Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday returned to Delhi. The PM said that he had a productive day after interacting with world leaders.

He posted on X, “Had a very productive day at the G7 Summit in Apulia. Interacted with world leaders and discussed various subjects.

“Together, we aim to create impactful solutions that benefit the global community and create a better world for future generations.”

PM Modi also thanked the people and government of Italy “for their warm hospitality”.

The Prime Minister also said, “An important G7 Summit, where I presented India’s perspective at the world stage.

Here are highlights,” and posted a video link to the important event. He held back-to-back bilaterals with French President Emmanuel Macron, British PM Rishi Sunak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida.

He then attended the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and the Mediterranean which was followed by interactions with several world leaders.

After the conclusion of the G7 Summit’s Outreach Session, PM Modi met with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden.

He also interacted with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Jordan King Abdullah, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Pope Francis on Friday on the sidelines of the G7 summit and invited him to visit India.

The visit to Italy was Prime Minister Modi’s first overseas trip after assuming office for the third consecutive term, and also his fifth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit.

IN PICS: Modi at G7:

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Modi Meets Biden, World Leaders Post G7 Outreach Session

The visit to Italy is Prime Minister Modi’s first overseas visit after assuming office for the third consecutive term and also his fifth consecutive participation in the summit…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, after the conclusion of the G7 Summit’s Outreach Session in Italy’s Borgo Egnazia on Friday.

“It’s always a pleasure to meet POTUS Joe Biden. India and the USA will keep working together to further global good,” the PM posted on X along with pictures of his meeting with the US President.

The visit to Italy is Prime Minister Modi’s first overseas visit after assuming office for the third consecutive term and also his fifth consecutive participation in the summit.

While there was no formal bilateral meeting scheduled between the two leaders, the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan had told reporters en route to Brindisi that Biden and PM Modi will have an “opportunity to encounter one another” during the G7 session as the schedule remains “fluid”.

After speaking at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean, PM Modi also interacted with Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Jordan’s King Abdullah and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

PM Modi also met his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the event. Earlier in the day, PM Modi held back-to-back bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, British PM Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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Migration tops agenda at G7 meet

Divisions appear to emerge over the wording of the summit’s final declaration, with disagreement reported over the inclusion of a reference to abortion…reports Asian Lite News

Leaders of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations are turning their attention to migration on the second day of their summit Friday, seeking ways to combat trafficking and increase investment in countries from where migrants start out on often life-threatening journeys.

The gathering in a luxury resort in Italy’s southern Puglia region is also discussing other major topics, such as financial support for Ukraine, the war in Gaza, artificial intelligence and climate change, as well as China’s industrial policy and economic security.

But some divisions also appeared to emerge over the wording of the summit’s final declaration, with disagreement reported over the inclusion of a reference to abortion.

Migration is of particular interest to summit host Italy, which lies on one of the major routes into the European Union for people fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Right-wing Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, known for her hard-line stance on the issue, has been keen to increase investment and funding for African nations as a means of reducing migratory pressure on Europe.

Italy “wanted to dedicate ample space to another continent that is fundamental to the future of all of us, which is Africa, with its difficulties, its opportunities,” Meloni said at the summit opening Thursday.

“Linked to Africa, and not only to Africa, there is another fundamental issue that Italy has placed at the center of the presidency, which is the issue of migration, the increasingly worrying role that trafficking organizations are assuming, clearly exploiting the desperation of human beings,” she said.

Meloni has a controversial five-year deal with neighboring Albania for the Balkan country to host thousands of asylum-seekers while Italy processes their claims. She has also spearheaded the “Mattei Plan” for Africa, a continentwide strategy to increase economic opportunities at home and so discourage migration to Europe.

More than 22,000 people have arrived in Italy by sea so far in 2024, according to UNHCR figures. In 2023, more than 157,000 arrived, and nearly 2,000 died or went missing while attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing.

The United States has also been struggling with a growing number of migrants at its southern border. President Joe Biden introduced new policies to curb migration after a bill he tried to get through Congress failed to pass.

However, immigrant rights advocates filed lawsuits on Thursday over the new policies, and it is unclear whether they will be able to withstand the legal challenges in the U.S. courts.

Tackling migration “is a common challenge,” European Council President Charles Michel said after arriving at the summit.

“This is the route that we intend, together with our partners, to put in place: this coalition to fight against the smugglers, these criminal groups which are abusing (vulnerable people) to make money and to destabilize regions and countries across the world,” he added.

Apart from the G7 nations of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the U.S., the Italian hosts have also invited several African leaders — Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Kenyan President William Ruto and Tunisian President Kais Saied — to press Meloni’s migration and development initiatives.

Pope Francis will also become the first pontiff to address a G7 summit when he delivers a speech on artificial intelligence Friday. Other invitees include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The summit opened Thursday with a strong show of support for Kyiv: an agreement reached on a U.S. proposal to back a $50 billion loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets as collateral. Biden also signed a bilateral security agreement with Zelenskyy on Thursday evening, aiming to send a signal to Russia of American resolve in supporting Kyiv.

Describing it as a “truly historic day,” Zelenskyy said the agreement was “on security and thus on the protection of human life.”

But some cracks appeared among the G7 leaders, with French President Emmanuel Macron deploring a lack of reference to abortion in the draft of the summit’s final document.

The statement after last year’s summit in Hiroshima, Japan, expressed a commitment to provide access to safe and legal abortion to women and girls, and pledged to defend gender equality and the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community.

But Italy’s ANSA news agency, citing the draft for this year’s communique, said Thursday the final document had no reference to abortion.

“I regret this,” Macron said, answering a question on the issue from an Italian reporter. France “has included women’s right to abortion, the freedom of decision on one’s own body, into its Constitution,” he said, adding that France defends “this vision of equality between women and men.”

“It’s not a vision that’s shared across all the political spectrum,” Macron said. “I regret it, but I respect it because it was the sovereign choice of your people.”

Meloni, who campaigned on a “God, Faith and Fatherland” motto, has denied she is rolling back abortion rights, which have been legal in Italy since 1978. But the center-left opposition has warned that her initiatives are chipping away at those rights, including by giving pro-life groups access to women considering abortions.

According to ANSA, this year’s text says the G7 “repeats our commitment expressed in the final communique of the G7 of Hiroshima for a universal, adequate and sustainable access to health services for women, including the right to reproduction.”

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