The G7 countries pledge support for specific infrastructure projects such as IMEC Corridor

The Group of Seven (G7) countries in their joint statement pledged their support for specific infrastructure projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) after the end of their three-day summit in Italy.

The G7 aims to strengthen economic corridors for better infrastructure and investment. Key projects include coordinating and financing efforts for corridors such as Lobito, Luzon, the Middle East and India-Middle East-Europe.

They also plan to build on existing initiatives such as the EU Global Gateway, the Great Green Wall and Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa.

“We will further promote concrete G7 PGII initiatives, flagship projects and complementary initiatives to develop transformative economic corridors for quality infrastructure and investments, such as deepening our coordination and financing for the Lobito Corridor, the Luzon Corridor, the Middle Corridor and the economic India-Middle East-Europe corridor, which also builds on the EU Global Gateway, the Great Green Wall Initiative and the Mattei Plan for Africa launched by Italy,” the White House said in an official statement.

G7 Summit leaders on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific governed by international law.

“We reiterate our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, based on the rule of law, that is inclusive, prosperous and secure, based on sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes, fundamental freedoms and human rights.” The White House reported this in a statement.

The summit statement emphasized that the G7 is not seeking to harm China or thwart its economic development, but will continue to take action to protect companies from unfair practices, level the playing field and stem the ongoing damage to recover.

“We are committed to constructive and stable relations with China and recognize the importance of direct and frank engagement to raise concerns and manage disagreements. We act in our national interest. Given China’s role in the international community, cooperation is necessary to address global challenges, and we continue to engage in areas of common interest,” the statement said.

“We call on China to step up efforts to promote international peace and security, and work with us to address the climate, biodiversity and pollution crises, combat the illicit trade in synthetic drugs, ensure macroeconomic stability, support global health and the debt sustainability and financing needs of vulnerable countries,” the statement said.

The summit was attended by the seven Member States, the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and France, as well as the European Union. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had invited India as an ‘Outreach Country’ at the G7 Summit held in Italy’s Apulia region from July 13 to 15.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and the Mediterranean, covering various topics including the transformative role of technology in human progress.

On the sidelines of the G7 summit, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He also had contact with US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Pope Francis.

First print: June 16, 2024 | 7:31 am IST