Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a thrilling video detailing the great reception he received in Germany. On June 26, PM Modi flew into Munich for the G7 summit, where he met representatives from the G7 and its partner nations and held talks on topics like the environment, energy, and counterterrorism. PM Modi met privately with the heads of some of the participating nations during the Summit.
When PM Modi arrived in Munich, a Bavarian band greeted him. At the Audi Dome in Munich, he was also welcomed by the Indian community in Germany. The event was attended by thousands of people from Germany's thriving Indian community. The festival featured the traditional dances of India performed by hundreds of artists. The song "Vande Matram" was used to decorate the Audi Dome. The German state of Bavaria made two special gestures for PM Modi when he landed in Munich. Government sources said a Bavarian band welcomed PM Modi at Munich airport. Such a gesture by the state was last made for then US President Barack Obama in 2015.
PM Modi is the only leader to be invited to speak at the dinner hosted by Bavarian President Markus Thomas Theodor Söder on Sunday for the visiting leaders. “This is in a way treating our PM like the guest of honour,” they said. Earlier, Modi interacted with the children of the members of the Indian diaspora in Munich. The children gathered to welcome him at the hotel where he stayed during his two-day visit.
He interacted with the Indian community in Germany at the Audi Dome, Munich. “The way millions of Indians have achieved big goals together, is unprecedented. Today, every village in India is Open Defecation Free,” he said. “Electricity has reached every village in India today and almost every village in India is connected by road. Today over 99% of people in India have a gas connection for clean cooking,” he added.
PM Modi also highlighted India’s growth story and mentioned various initiatives undertaken by the government to further achieve the country’s development agenda. He also lauded the contribution of the diaspora in promoting India’s success story and acting as brand ambassadors of the country’s success. “We Indians are proud of our democracy. Today, we can proudly say India is the mother of democracy. . . The diversity of culture, food, clothes, music and traditions makes our democracy vibrant. India has shown that democracy can deliver and has delivered,” said PM Modi.
Held series of meetings
PM Modi held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G7 summit, including with the leaders of EU, Germany, Canada, Indonesia and South Africa. One of his most significant engagements was with Justin Trudeau, their first in-person bilateral meeting since comments by the Canadian PM on the farmers protest in India led to a freeze in ties.
The situation in Ukraine was discussed in most meetings with Modi underlining India’s position that dialogue is the only way to end the imbroglio. Modi also had a casual meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and exchanged greetings with US President Joe Biden after the latter walked up to him to shake hands just before a group photo.
Modi congratulated Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Indonesia’s ongoing G-20 presidency and discussed India’s forthcoming G-20 presidency. They also exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest, said the government in a statement.
In another bilateral with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Modi thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit and discussed ways to take forward their Green and Sustainable Development Partnership. Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the WTO agreement reached in June that supports production of Covid-19 vaccines in developing countries, said the government.
Energy access
At a time energy costs are sky-high due to geopolitical tensions, it is important to remember that energy access should not be the privilege of the rich only and that a poor family also has the same rights on energy, said PM Modi said while addressing a G7 meeting on climate and energy.
By taking inspiration from this principle, Modi said, the Indian government had delivered LED bulbs and clean cooking gas door to door in India and showed that millions of tonnes of carbon emissions can be saved while ensuring energy for the poor. He said India's dedication to its climate commitments was evident from its performance.
