G7 Summit: Italian PM Giorgia Meloni's 'Namaste' greeting goes viral

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's unique greeting at the G7 Summit in Italy has captured global attention. Meloni welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with a 'Namaste,' a traditional Indian gesture symbolizing respect and mutual recognition. This gesture quickly became a viral sensation online, drawing reactions from netizens worldwide.

Meloni's Greeting Goes Viral

The video of Meloni's 'Namaste' greeting spread rapidly across social media platforms, sparking enthusiastic responses. One social media user expressed delight, stating, "Namaste karna sikh gai," which translates to "learnt how to do Namaste."

Prime Minister Modi's First Foreign Trip After Re-Election

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his first foreign trip since his re-election, heading to Italy for the G7 Summit. He is scheduled to participate in the outreach session and engage in bilateral discussions with several global leaders during the summit.

Highlighting India's agenda, Modi emphasized key areas of focus, stating, "India will focus on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean at the outreach session." He also looks forward to a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Meloni to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Italy.

Key Focus Areas of the G7 Summit

The G7 Summit, held from June 13 to 15 in Apulia's luxury resort Borgo Egnazia, gathers leaders from the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan. This year's summit aims to foster economic growth, address environmental challenges, and enhance international security. Discussions will also encompass the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza.

The Italian presidency underscores the importance of upholding the rules-based international system amid global instability caused by conflicts like Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

Expanded Participation and Historical Context

Initially expanded to include Russia in 1997 as the G8, the group suspended Russia's participation in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea. In addition to the core G7 members, Italy has invited leaders from 11 developing countries across Africa, South America, and the Indo-Pacific region to participate.

Despite not being a G7 member, the European Union plays a pivotal role in the summit, contributing to discussions on pressing global issues.

The G7 Summit serves as a crucial platform for international dialogue, addressing some of the most significant challenges facing the global community today.

(With inputs from TOI)