Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan for the G7 summit, the Indian Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, emphasized the special strategic and global partnership between India and Japan. He highlighted the strengthening of the relationship under the leadership of current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Ambassador George expressed anticipation for PM Modi’s participation in the G7 summit and his scheduled bilateral and other meetings during the visit.
The ambassador noted the excellent relationship between India and Japan, which was established during PM Modi’s visit in 2014 with then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He highlighted the reinforcement of this relationship under the current leadership. Ambassador George also mentioned Japan’s active participation in India’s initiatives as the chair of the G20, with over 200 meetings scheduled to be held in India.
While India is not a G7 member, PM Modi has been invited to speak at the summit by Japanese PM Kishida Fumio, who currently chairs the G7. PM Modi is expected to address topics such as peace, stability, prosperity, food security, and energy security, sending a significant message to China. There are indications that an informal Quad summit may also take place on the sidelines of the G7, with all Quad leaders present in Hiroshima.
Additionally, discussions among leaders during the G7 summit will include India’s upcoming presidency of the G20, with a focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Some countries, including the US, Japan, and certain European nations, are urging India to allow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to speak at the G20 Summit, possibly in a virtual format.