In view of the prevailing COVID situation in India, the Prime Minister will not attend the G7 Summit in person

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the G-7 Summit in person in Cornwall, the UK, given the prevailing COVID situation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

Minister Boris Johnson had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G-7 Summit, which is scheduled to be held on 11-13 June. Besides India, Australia and South Korea were invited to participate in the proceedings of the Summit as guest countries.

“While appreciating the invitation to the Prime Minister by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to attend the G7 Summit as a Special Invitee, given the prevailing COVID situation, it has been decided that the Prime Minister will not attend the G7 Summit in person,” Ministry of External Affairs’ Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to media queries.

India is fighting a severe battle against coronavirus. Several European Union members have generously extended support to the country by supplying medical essentials, including oxygen concentrators.

The UK has provided India with three oxygen generators, 1100 ventilators and 95 concentrators and other essential medical equipment.

India and the UK enjoy long standing friendly ties and share a Strategic Partnership underpinned by mutual commitment to democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, strong complementarities and growing convergences.

On May 4, Prime Minister Modi held a virtual summit with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
An ambitious ‘Roadmap 2030’ was adopted at the Summit to elevate bilateral ties to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’.

The Roadmap will pave the way for a deeper and stronger engagement over the next ten years in the key areas of people to people contacts, trade and economy, defence and security, climate action and health.