Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook extensive diplomatic outreach on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, holding bilateral meetings with leaders from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the UAE yesterday. He also met and interacted with leaders of several other countries on the sidelines of the G7 meeting.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that, during their meeting, Prime Minister Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, welcomed the positive momentum in India-Canada relations and reaffirmed their commitment to building a forward-looking strategic partnership. The two leaders reviewed progress in economic cooperation, including commercial arrangements relating to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and metallurgical coal.
They expressed satisfaction over the ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with both sides aiming to conclude the pact this year. The leaders also welcomed growing cooperation in science and technology, defence, finance and migration. To further strengthen defence and security ties, the two countries agreed to launch negotiations on a General Security of Information Agreement. Prime Minister Modi further expressed India’s support for Canada becoming a Dialogue Partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Both leaders also announced the establishment of Raisina Americas as a platform to enhance dialogue and cooperation.
During his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prime Minister Modi reviewed the progress in India-UK relations under Vision 2035. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the two leaders welcomed cooperation across trade, defence, technology, education and people-to-people ties and looked forward to the early implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
They also expressed satisfaction over the strong education partnership between the two countries, noting the recent progress in establishing campuses of British universities in India, including the University of Liverpool in Bengaluru and the Universities of York and Bristol in Mumbai. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Prime Minister Modi also met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity in advancing enduring peace, security and stability in the West Asia region. The two sides called for continued free, safe and unimpeded navigation, trade and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.
They also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. The two leaders further reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation in areas such as technology, trade, investment, energy and defence, building on the momentum generated by President Al Nahyan’s visit to India in January this year and Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UAE last month. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi conveyed his invitation to President Al Nahyan to attend the BRICS Summit to be hosted by India later this year. This was the third meeting between the two leaders this year.
Prime Minister Modi also met Kenyan President William Ruto. Mr Modi said India and Kenya share a longstanding partnership anchored in the aspirations of the Global South and reiterated that both countries remain committed to working together for the well-being of their people. Prime Minister Modi also met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. He reaffirmed that India deeply values its longstanding friendship with Egypt.
During his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Mr Modi emphasised that India and Japan will continue to deepen ties across diverse sectors, with trade and investment remaining priority areas. Mr Modi also met South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. He said both countries are working together in trade, commerce and several futuristic sectors.