PM Modi To Embark On Italy Tour Post Swearing-In

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to embark on his first international visit - Italy - shortly after his swearing-in ceremony on June 9. This visit comes in response to an invitation from his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, who has extended an offer for Modi to attend the G7 Summit. The summit is scheduled to be held from June 13 to 15 in Borgo Egnazia, a picturesque locale in Apulia, Italy.

Italy's G7 presidency

Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7, a forum that includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, with the European Union participating as a guest in discussions. This year's summit will focus on several critical global issues like global economic landscape, international trade, climate change, Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Hamas conflict etc.

During the summit, PM Modi will also engage in bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden and other G7 leaders.

Hectic diplomatic schedule

India is set for an intensive diplomatic schedule.

BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting: On June 11, ahead of the BRICS Summit in October, India's External Affairs Minister will attend a preparatory meeting in Russia.

Bangladesh PM Visit: Indian Prime Minister Modi is expected to host Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in the last week of June.

SCO Summit: In July, PM Modi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan, where a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping may take place.

Ukraine's invitation to peace Summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated PM Modi on his electoral victory and has urged New Delhi to participate in an upcoming peace summit. Zelenskyy emphasised India's significant role in global diplomacy and the collective effort needed to achieve lasting peace. This invitation follows a March visit by Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to New Delhi, where he met with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar and reiterated the request for India's involvement in the peace process.

Despite these overtures, India's stance remains nuanced. While PM Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to global peace, he did not specify whether New Delhi would attend the Ukraine peace summit. India's diplomatic strategy involves a careful balancing act, maintaining relationships with both Western nations and Russia amid the ongoing conflict. This ambiguity continues to draw attention and speculation in the global diplomatic circles regarding India's eventual decision on the peace summit participation.