New York: Leaders of the G7 grouping and its five partner countries, including India, have said that they seek to promote a rules-based international order, respect other states’ territorial integrity and sovereignty and defend the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, amidst China flexing its muscles in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region.
In a joint statement, the Group of Seven (G7), an inter-governmental political grouping, acknowledged the importance of national laws and regulations that are in place in each country to advance the principles and values of democracy.
“We hail all courageous defenders of democratic systems that stand against oppression and violence, and will step up international cooperation to improve the resilience of democratic societies globally.“We commit to engage with partners internationally for peace and prosperity, and will work for progress towards an equitable world because we are stronger together,” it said.
The statement assumes significance amidst aggressive moves by China in the Indo-Pacific region as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The US, India and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s aggressive military manoeuvring in the region. China also claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam all claim parts of it.
It also resolved to fight corruption, illicit financial flows, organized crime, cybercrimes, and other illicit activities, including through enhanced beneficial ownership transparency; advocating free, fair, non-discriminatory, rules-based, and sustainable trade, alleviating global inequalities, raising standards of living, maintaining open and resilient economies and strengthening the multilateral trading system, including by reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The G7 grouping said it is committed to supporting efforts to push for sustainable solutions to mounting global sovereign debt, in particular within the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative for debtors in need, while continuing to explore further solutions for vulnerable countries, including Middle-Income Countries.
Indian PM Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.
Modi meets Biden, Macron, Trudeau at G7 Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G7 Summit venue here and briefly interacted with each other ahead of the group photo.
President Biden walked towards Prime Minister Modi and exchanged pleasantries and warmly shook hands.
Prime Minister Modi, who was standing next to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau for the group photo, also was seen interacting with the Canadian Prime Minister.
A tweet from India’s prime minister’s office noted the two leaders “took stock of India-Canada friendship and discussed ways to further strengthen it across various sectors”.
Modi ‘chai par charcha’ with French President Emmanuel Macron. The Indian PM shared pictures of him having tea with Macron as they discussed bilateral relations.
