New Delhi, June 24 (Mayank Nigam) India’s regular participation at the G7 summits clearly points to the increasing acceptance and recognition that India needs to be a part of any and every sustained effort to find solutions to solve the global challenges that are being faced by the world, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said today ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Germany on June 26-27 for the G7 summit. PM Modi, who will also be visiting the UAE on June 28, is visiting Schloss Elmau, Germany, at the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, for the G7 Summit under the German Presidency. The G7 is holding talks on the key topics of Energy transition, economic recovery and transformation, pandemic prevention and control, sustainable investments and infrastructure, and promotion of shared values of democracy.
On June 27 , PM Modi is to participate in two sessions along with other partner countries of G7 – one on climate energy and health and the second on food security and gender equality, the Foreign Secretary said. On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of some of the participating countries. Asked whether the G7 would discuss the Sri Lankan financial crisis, the FS said the “situation in the region” could come up in the discussions on the sidelines of the summit. He said that it has been India’s endeavour to highlight the current position in Sri Lanka, and to mention that India has provided USD 3.5 billion to Sri Lanka this year under four brackets – of currency swap, USD 1 bn for trading arrangement and rollover of the Asian Clearing Union of dues.
I think our assistance to Sri Lanka and continuing cooperation in the field of development and humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka is unprecedented in terms of scale and speed,” the Foreign Secretary said. Coincidentally, the FS was in Colombo on Thursday and met with the Sri Lankan President, PM and other officials to discuss the island country’s financial crisis and ways to help mitigate it. “During our conversations with other developed countries we have highlighted the need to partner with Sri Lanka so that their current situation is addressed quickly and Sri Lanka can move to the path of economic recovery,” he added. Asked whether India’s oil purchases from Russia could feature in the G7 talks, the Foreign Secretary said: “Whatever are the trading arrangements that India puts in place with regard to purchase of crude from the world, it is determined with regard to the consideration of energy security of India, and that point is very well understood and appreciated across countries.
There is no point of assuming any pressure on the issue.” He said “India has continued its oil purchases, that are governed, motivated and determined by our energy security needs and national interest.” On the UAE leg of the visit, on June 28, he said the PM will pay his personal condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa, the former UAE President and Abu Dhabi Ruler. The PM will also take the opportunity to congratulate Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as the new President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. This will be the first meeting between the two leaders since Mohamed bin Zayed’s election as the new ruler of Abu Dhabi. On the India-UAE CEPA, he said it has entered into force and under it the first consignments have started flowing to both sides. “Our vision for bilateral relations includes partnership in diverse areas including trade, investment, energy, particularly renewable energy, health, security, skill development, education culture and people to people ties.”
Asked if the controversy over the Prophet remarks could feature in the talks, the FS said that “Gulf nations have a clear understanding on India’s position and situation, and this we have clarified on various occasions on various platform. I do not think there will be any further need to talk on this.” Asked what could be the main agenda of the talks between the two sides, he said the talks would focus on bilateral relations. “When the leaders of two nations meet there will be discussions on the bilateral relations…India-UAE relations are dynamic, robust and widespread… Energy and energy security have been a key part of the relations, and also people to people ties, as also defence, security, environment, health, energy, investment… It is a multifaceted partnership,” the Foreign Secretary said.