New Delhi: The G7 summit commenced in Hiroshima, Japan, Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of his departure from Delhi, said that India will act as a “bridge between diverse voices” within the Global South and “amplify the concerns” of the region in Hiroshima and at the G20 summit to be held in Delhi later this year.
In an interview with Nikkei Asia, a news portal, PM Modi said he hopes to discuss challenges the world faces within spheres of energy, digital technology and supply chains with India’s bilateral partners present in Japan. He added that he would “emphasise India’s role” in tackling these issues.
Modi was invited by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to serve as a representative of the “Global South”, or developing world, despite India not being a member of G7, which include member states of France, US, UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the EU.
In the interview held in New Delhi, PM Modi discussed several themes, including the Russia-Ukraine war and said India’s position remains “unwavering”. He also spoke about the diminishing ties with neighbours like China and Pakistan, and about his commitment to protect the country’s sovereignty.
On India’s current relations with Pakistan, the PM in the interview observed that New Delhi wants normal and neighbourly relations with the country.
“However, it is incumbent upon them to create a conducive environment free from terrorism and hostilities. The onus is on Pakistan to take necessary steps in this regard,” he noted.
When asked about India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, Modi remarked on the institution’s inadequacies in working on challenges, such as climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, terrorism, among others, noting that it remains “confined to outdated mindsets.”
“The credibility of the UNSC and its decision-making process will always be questioned if it continues to deny representation on a permanent basis to the world’s largest democracy, as well as entire continents like Africa and Latin America,” PM Modi said.
On his domestic promises, the PM told Nikkei Asia, the BJP government has “built a strong foundation in recent years”, growing from the 10th largest economy in 2014 to the 5th largest globally.
“We aim to transform the country into a developed nation, in time to celebrate India’s 100 years of Independence,” he added.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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