G7 Summit: PM Modi, President Biden likely to meet; US to raise Pannun’s murder attempt plot

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are anticipated to convene during the G7 Summit in Italy, according to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Sullivan highlighted that Biden’s upcoming trip to Italy may include a meeting with the Indian Prime Minister, calling it as a prospective “encounter.” The statement also reiterated the US administration’s commitment to discussing important issues, including concerns over the foiled Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun‘s murder plot, at high levels with India.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasized that the two leaders spoke when Biden congratulated PM Modi for taking oath as Prime Minister for the third term.

Addressing a press conference, Sullivan said, “President Biden actually spoke with President Modi by phone while we were in Paris to congratulate him on the election outcome and on being named Prime Minister for a third term.”

“He (Biden) expects to see Prime Minister Modi here. It’s up to the Indians to formally confirm his attendance, but our — our expectation is that the two of them will have the opportunity to encounter one another. What the nature of that encounter is still fluid because so much of the schedule is fluid,” he added.

Being asked about whether there will be a discussion on the allegations of a foiled assassination attempt of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the US NSA said it will be a “continuing topic of dialogue” between New Delhi and Washington, including at “very senior levels.”

“So, you know, we’ve made our views known on this issue, and it will be a continuing topic of dialogue between the US and India, including at very senior levels,” Sullivan stated.

Pannun case

The US Justice Department alleged that an Indian government official recruited a fellow Indian national to engage a hitman for the purported assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. This plot was allegedly thwarted by US authorities.In response, India has established a high-level committee to investigate the incident.

Prime Minister Modi is visiting Italy to attend the annual summit of G7 advanced economies, marking his first international trip since starting his third consecutive term in office. The summit will be held at the Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13 to 15.

India at G7 Summit

India’s participation in this G7 Summit is significant, especially following its recent presidency of the G20, where India played a key role in building global consensus on various contentious issues. India has also hosted two sessions of the Voice of the Global South Summit, focusing on highlighting the interests, priorities, and concerns of the Global South on the global stage.

Confirming PM Modi’s participation in the summit in Italy, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Wednesday, said, “It will also afford him an opportunity to engage with other world leaders present at the G7 Summit on issues of importance to India as also to the Global South.”

This will be India’s 11th participation in the G7 Summit and Prime Minister Modi’s fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit.

On the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy, PM Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings and discussions with the leaders of the G7, as well as the Outreach Countries and the international organizations.

The two leaders last met during the COP28 Summit in Abu Dhabi last year.