Group of Seven (G7)

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said: "Landed in Hiroshima to join the G7 Summit proceedings. Will also be having bilateral meetings with various world leaders." He also attached the photographs of his arrival in Hiroshima. Modi on Friday embarked on a six-day visit to Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia to attend three key multilateral summits, including that of the G7.

The Group of 7 is going to meet at a crucial time when the sceptre of recession is looming large on the global economy and the central banks world over are struggling to keep the cost of living of their people by maintaining hawkish monetary policy and raising interest rates.

"During the sessions of the summit, I will be exchanging views with the G7 counties, G7 partner countries and guest international organisations on topical issues such as environment, energy, climate, food security, health, counter-terrorism, gender equality and democracy. I look forward to meeting leaders of some of the participating G7 and guest countries on the sidelines of the summit," the Prime Minister said in the statement on Saturday.

Modi will be visiting Schloss Elmau, Germany at the invitation of Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, for the G7 Summit under the German Presidency on June 26 and 27. "During the Summit, the Prime Minister is expected to speak in two sessions that include environment, energy, climate, food security, health, gender equality and democracy," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Official sources said the Prime Minister sought support for a proposal moved by India and South Africa at the WTO for a TRIPS waiver. Australia and others came out strongly in support of his proposal, sources added. His emphasis on keeping open supply chains for vaccine raw materials and components to help enhance vaccine production in countries like India received widespread support at the summit.

"While appreciating the invitation to the Prime Minister by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to attend the G7 Summit as a special invitee, given the prevailing COVID situation, it has been decided that the Prime Minister will not attend the G7 Summit in person," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.