Modi backs Trump plan to expand G7

NEWDELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday endorsed US President Donald Trump’s plan to expand the ambit of the Group of Seven (G7) for its next summit by including countries such as India, saying it was in line with the “emerging realities of the post-Covid world”.

Modi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Trump, according to an Indian government readout of the discussions. Trump spoke about the US presidency of G7, and his “desire to expand the ambit of the grouping beyond the existing membership, to include other important countries including India”. Trump also extended an invitation to Modi to attend the next G7 Summit to be held in the US in September.

Modi commended Trump for his “creative and far-sighted approach” to the G7 Summit, and acknowledged that “such an expanded forum would be in keeping with the emerging realities of the post-Covid world”. He said India will be “happy to work with the US and other countries” to ensure the summit is a success.

Modi had attended last year’s G7 Summit at Biarritz, France, as a special guest for the outreach session at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron.

During Tuesday’s conversation, Modi also expressed concern “regarding the ongoing civil disturbances in the US” and conveyed his best wishes for an early resolution of the situation, the readout said.