Addressing world leaders at the G7 summit at Schloss Elmau in southern Germany on Monday, 27 June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he hoped that the wealthy nations of the group would support India's efforts in combating climate change. He also spoke about India's potential to contribute to global food security.
Addressing the G7 session on food security and gender equality, sharing India’s experiences in these domains, Modi said:
"First, we must focus on the availability of fertilizers, and keep the value chains of fertilizers smooth at a global scale. We are trying to increase the production of fertilizers in India and seek cooperation from G7-countries in this regard. Second, India has immense agricultural manpower compared to the countries of the G7... Can the G7 create a structured system for the widespread use of Indian agricultural talent in its member countries?"PM Modi
"With the help of traditional talent of India's farmers, food security will be ensured to G7 countries," he added.
Modi also emphasised that India's approach had transitioned from ‘women’s development’ to 'women-led development'.
"More than 6 million Indian women frontline workers kept our citizens safe during the pandemic. Our women scientists made a big contribution in developing vaccines and test kits in India. More than one million female volunteers in India are active in providing rural health, whom we call 'ASHA' workers," he said.
The Group of Seven (G7) is an inter-governmental political group comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US.
Modi Meets Scholz, Biden, Trudeau, Macron
PM Modi had earlier been welcomed to the summit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He had participated in the G7 summit at the invitation of the German chancellor.
On the sidelines of the summit, Modi also held bilateral talks with several leaders, including Scholz, EU President Ursula von der Leyen, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He also interacted with US President Joe Biden and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.
'Diversifying India-Germany Friendship': PM Modi's Meet With Olaf Scholz
During his bilateral talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, PM Modi discussed ways to "further diversify the India-Germany friendship for the benefit of our people and the entire planet."
This was the second meeting between the two leaders this year. The previous meeting took place during the prime minister’s visit to Berlin on 2 May for the India-Germany inter-governmental consultations.
Their discussions covered issues like climate action, provision of climate financing, and technology transfer. Both leaders also agreed on the need to further deepen trade, investment, and people-to-people ties.
Greater coordination in international bodies, particularly in the context of India’s forthcoming G20 presidency, was discussed.
PM Modi Meets Ramaphosa, Discusses Ways To Boost Ties
On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, PM Modi met South African President Ramaphosa and discussed the full range of friendship between India and South Africa, including ways to boost bilateral cooperation in areas like trade, investment, food security, defence, pharmaceuticals, digital financial inclusion, skill development, insurance, health, and people-to-people ties.
Both leaders also welcomed the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement reached in June 2022 that supports the production of COVID-19 vaccines in developing countries. India and South Africa had submitted the first proposal suggesting a waiver for all WTO members on the implementation of certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement in relation to the prevention, containment, or treatment of COVID-19.
Discussions were also held on continued coordination in multilateral bodies and the need for their reform, particularly the UN Security Council.
'India Has Huge Market for Clean Energy Technologies': PM Modi at G7
Speaking at the summit, PM Modi said that India's dedication to climate commitments was evident from its performance.
"I hope that rich countries of G-7 will support India's efforts in combating climate change," he said and invited them "to tap the huge market for clean energy technologies emerging in the country."
In his remarks at the session on 'Investing in a better Future: Climate, Energy, Health' at the G7 Summit, Modi highlighted India's track record and said it has achieved the target of 40 percent energy-capacity from non-fossil sources nine years before time.
"The target of 10 percent ethanol-blending in petrol has been achieved 5 months before time. India has the world's first fully solar power operated airport. India's huge railway system will become net zero in this decade," he said.
"When a large country like India shows such ambition, other developing countries also get inspiration. Today, a huge market for clean energy technologies is emerging in India," the prime minister said.
G-7 countries can invest in research, innovation, and manufacturing in this field, he said, adding that the scale that India can provide for every new technology can make that technology affordable for the whole world. The core theories of the circular economy have been an integral part of Indian culture and lifestyle, Modi said.
"I called for a movement called LIFE – Lifestyle for Environment – in Glasgow last year. This year on World Environment Day, we launched the Global Initiative for LiFE campaign. The goal of this campaign is to encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle," he said.
"We can call the followers of this movement Triple-P i.e. 'pro planet people', and we should all take the responsibility of increasing the number of Triple-P people in our own countries. This will be our greatest contribution to the coming generations," PM Modi added.
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