PM Narendra Modi meets Japan's Kishida on sidelines of G7 in Hiroshima

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on Saturday (May 20).

PM Modi will attend the annual summit of the G7 grouping. The three-day summit runs through Sunday (May 21). He will also attend the third in-person Quad leaders' meeting.

PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart discussed ways to enhance India-Japan friendship across different sectors including trade, economy and culture.

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PM Modi said, "I congratulate you on the successful presidency of G7. I also want to thank you for inviting India to the G7 Summit. Your (PM Kishida) visit to India was a memorable one."

"It is a delightful moment for me as the Bodhi tree I gifted you has been planted by you in Hiroshima, I believe India-Japan relations will grow with the growth of this tree," the Indian prime minister added.

He later unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima during his visit to the city and stated that even today, the world gets frightened when they listen to the word 'Hiroshima'. "I got the opportunity to unveil a bust of Mahatma Gandhi during my visit to Japan for the G7 Summit," he said.

He further noted that the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima will take forward the idea of non-violence. "It is a great moment for me to know that the Bodhi tree that I gifted to the Japanese PM has been planted here in Hiroshima so that people can understand the importance of peace when they come here. I pay my respect to Mahatma Gandhi."

MEA Spokesperson Bagchi tweeted, "A symbol of friendship and goodwill... Mahatma's bust, a gift from India to the city of Hiroshima, is a befitting tribute to a city that symbolises humanity's yearning for peace."

Modi arrived in Hiroshima on Friday on the first leg of his three-nation trip to Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia and is expected to take part in over 40 engagements.

G7 summit in Hiroshima

The G7 comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. India is attending as a guest country.

Even today, the world gets frightened when they listen to the word 'Hiroshima'. I got the opportunity to unveil a bust of Mahatma Gandhi during my visit to Japan for the G7 Summit. Today, the world is suffering from climate change and terrorism...: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Hiroshima, Japan

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