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rime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his first foreign trip of his third term on Friday, departing from Italy after attending the G7 Summit. The visit featured significant diplomatic engagements, including meetings with US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

 

Shortly after taking his oath as Prime Minister, Modi embarked on this crucial trip, where he also engaged with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron. However, the highlights were his discussions with Biden and Trudeau, reflecting the importance of these bilateral relationships amid current global tensions.

 

"Had a very productive day at the G7 Summit in Apulia. Interacted with world leaders and discussed various subjects. Together, we aim to create impactful solutions that benefit the global community and create a better world for future generations. I thank the people and government of Italy for their warm hospitality," PM Modi posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday morning.

 

The meeting with Trudeau was particularly notable given the recent strains in Indo-Canadian relations. Last year, tensions flared following the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, with Trudeau alleging possible involvement of Indian agents—a charge New Delhi has vehemently denied as "absurd" and "motivated."

 

Amid this backdrop, Modi and Trudeau had a brief interaction at the summit. Trudeau’s office acknowledged the meeting, with spokesperson Ann-Clara Vaillancourt stating, "The leaders had a brief discussion on the bilateral relationship and Prime Minister Modi's re-election."

 

New Delhi has consistently accused Canada of allowing anti-India elements to thrive for political purposes. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra reiterated this stance, highlighting that the main issue with Canada remains the political space Ottawa provides to these elements.

 

Modi also had a separate, more extensive interaction with President Biden. This meeting came nearly seven months after allegations surfaced from Washington about an Indian link to a foiled plot to murder Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Following their discussion, Modi tweeted, "India and the United States will keep working together to further global good."

 

In addition to his interactions with Biden and Trudeau, Modi met with other global leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. These meetings underscored India's growing diplomatic footprint and its central role in addressing global issues.

 

During the summit, Modi addressed the importance of ending technological monopolies, particularly highlighting artificial intelligence. His remarks aimed at fostering an inclusive and innovative technological landscape.

 

The invitation to Modi for the G7 Summit signals India's increasing significance in the West’s strategy to counter China's rapid growth. Apart from India, the hosts had invited leaders from 11 developing countries, including several from the Indo-Pacific region, to participate in the summit.

 

This trip marked a critical diplomatic effort by Modi to strengthen India’s ties with major global powers and navigate complex geopolitical landscapes.