AMN/ WEB DESK

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he is looking forward to exchanging views with the G7 countries and other invited partners on challenges that the world faces and the need to collectively address them. Issuing a departure statement, before leaving for Hiroshima, Japan today, Mr Modi said his presence in this G7 Summit is particularly meaningful as India holds the G20 Presidency this year.

The Prime Minister said he will hold bilateral meetings with some of the leaders attending the Hiroshima G7 Summit. Prime Minister Modi will attend the G7 Summit under the Japanese Presidency at the invitation of the  Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida. He said that it will be a pleasure to meet Prime Minister Kishida again after his recent visit to India for the India-Japan Summit. The Prime Minister also informed that he will be holding bilateral meetings with some of the leaders attending the Hiroshima G7 Summit.

On Papua New Guinea, Mr Modi said this will be his first visit by any Indian Prime Minister, to Papua New Guinea. Mr Modi said he will host the 3rd Summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC III Summit) jointly with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape on May 22. He also expressed his gratitude to all 14 Pacific Island Countries (PIC) who have accepted the invitation to attend this important Summit. 

FIPIC had been launched by PM Modi during his visit to Fiji in 2014. Apart from the FIPIC engagements, Prime Minister Modi will also hold bilateral interactions with Papua New Guinea Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae, Prime Minister Marape, and some of the other PIC Leaders participating in the Summit. On his engagement in Australia, Prime Minister Modi said that he is travelling to Sydney, Australia at the invitation of Prime Minister Albanese. Mr Modi said he is looking forward to hold  bilateral meeting, which will be an opportunity to take stock of bilateral ties. The Prime Minister also informed that he will also interact with Australian CEOs and business leaders, and meeting with the Indian community in Sydney at a special event.