Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sparked speculation about a potential visit to Italy, should he be re-elected, just days after the announcement of election results. During the call on Thursday, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for an invitation to the G-7 meeting in June, contingent upon his re-election. Sources reveal that India has been extended a special invitation to participate in the G-7 summit’s outreach sessions, scheduled to take place from June 13-15 in Puglia, Italy.
Following the election results in June, New Delhi has received several invitations, including one for the Prime Minister or External Affairs Minister to attend the Ukraine peace conference in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 15-16. Additionally, an invitation has been extended for the External Affairs Minister to participate in the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on June 10-11. However, official responses to these invitations are pending until after the election results are announced.
In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Modi conveyed his best wishes to PM Meloni and the people of Italy on the occasion of Liberation Day. He also expressed appreciation for the invitation to the G-7 summit outreach sessions and discussed the continuation of significant outcomes from India’s G-20 presidency during the G-7 summit, particularly focusing on issues concerning the Global South, such as food and energy security, and development priorities.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed India’s receipt of an invitation to the G-7 outreach sessions. However, the acceptance of the invitation remains under consideration, with further details expected to be shared in due course, according to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
India has received invitations to the G-7 meeting since 2003 and has been a regular participant over the past decade. Given that Indian election counting is scheduled for June 4, and the formation of the new government may require additional time, it remains uncertain whether the new Prime Minister would be able to attend the G-7 summit, which will be attended by leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S., on June 13.
Although no official decision has been made, the mention of Italy’s invitation in public discourse has fueled speculation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may consider attending the summit if re-elected. PM Modi’s last visit to Italy was for the G-20 summit in 2021, while former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attended the G8-G5 Summit in Italy in 2009.
The conversation between Prime Minister Meloni and PM Modi also highlighted their commitment to enhancing the bilateral strategic partnership and included discussions on regional and global developments of mutual interest, as stated in the press release.