Ahead of his visit to Germany for the G7 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he will exchange views with the leaders of the bloc and its partners on issues such as energy, food security, counter-terrorism, environment and democracy.
Modi is visiting Schloss Elmau in southern Germany on June 26 and 27 for the summit of the G7, a grouping of the world's seven richest nations.
The G7 leaders are expected to focus on the Ukraine crisis that has triggered geopolitical turmoil besides fuelling a global food and energy crisis.
Modi is attending the G7 summit following an invitation by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The summit is being hosted by Germany in its capacity as the chair of G7.
"In an effort to strengthen international collaboration on important global issues impacting humanity, Germany has also invited other democracies such as Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa to the G7 Summit," Modi said in a statement ahead of his visit.
"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," he added.
Modi said he was looking forward to meeting leaders of some of the participating G7 and guest countries on the sidelines of the summit.
The prime minister said he was also looking forward to meeting Chancellor Scholz again after the "productive" India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) last month.
"While in Germany, I also look forward to meeting members of the Indian Diaspora from across Europe who are contributing immensely to their local economies as also enriching our relations with European countries," the prime minister said.
Modi leaves for Germany on Saturday night. From Germany, Modi will travel to the United Arab Emirates on June 28 to pay his condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former president of the Gulf nation.
"On my way back to India, I will make a brief stopover in Abu Dhabi, UAE for a meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, on June 28 to convey my personal condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," Modi said.
Zayed Al Nahyan passed away on May 13 after battling illness for the last several years.
In a gesture of goodwill, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited the UAE to offer India's condolences over the demise of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
