Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that he looks forward to meeting leaders of some of the participating G7 and guest countries on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.

In his departure statement before embarking on a three-day (June 26-28) visit to Germany and UAE, Mr Modi said that he will be visiting Schloss Elmau, Germany at the invitation of Chancellor of Germany, H.E. Mr. Olaf Scholz, for the G7 Summit under the German Presidency. “ It will be a pleasure to meet Chancellor Scholz again after the productive India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) last month.’’

Mr Modi said that in its endeaviour 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.

“During the sessions of the Summit, I will be exchanging views with the G7 countries, G7 partner countries and guest International Organisations on topical issues such as environment, energy, climate, food security, health, counter-terrorism, gender equality and democracy. I look forward to meeting leaders of some of the participating G7 and guest countries on the sidelines of the Summit. While in Germany, I also look forward to meeting members of the Indian diaspora across Europe, who are contributing immensely to their local economies as also enriching our relations with European countries.’’

The Prime Minister said that on his way back to India on Tuesday, he will make a brief stopover in Abu Dhabi, UAE for a meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Mr Modi’s stopover in UAE is to convey personal condolences on the demise of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.