Day 2 at G7: PM Modi highlights terrorism; joint stand taken on smuggling and repression
AP photo
On Day 2 of the G7 summit in Kananaskis on Tuesday, the remaining leaders continued with key discussions on terrorism, human smuggling, and the war in Ukraine, after Trump exited Monday night, saying he needed to focus on rising tensions between Iran and Israel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Outreach Session and held several bilateral meetings. G7 members issued strong joint statements on migrant smuggling and transnational repression, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for more global support amid fresh Russian attacks.
PM Modi at G7
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his discussions with G7 leaders 'productive', saying they focused on global challenges and hopes for a better world.
He held meetings with Canadian PM Mark Carney, UK PM Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, and Australian PM Anthony Albanese. They spoke about strengthening trade ties and boosting cooperation in economic matters.
India and Canada also agreed to appoint new high commissioners to normalise consular and trade services, after a period of diplomatic strain.
At the G7 Outreach Session, Modi repeated India's firm stand against terrorism. He urged world leaders to act strictly against those who support or promote it. He also raised concerns of the Global South, asking the G7 to address them more seriously.
G7 on Migrant Smuggling
The G7 countries released a joint statement renewing their pledge to stop migrant smuggling. This comes under the G7 Coalition and their 2024 Action Plan.
The leaders committed to stronger border management and targeting criminal networks involved in human smuggling and trafficking.
They also noted links between smuggling and other crimes like money laundering and drug trafficking, calling it a threat to public safety.
Condemning Transnational Repression
The G7 also took a joint stand against transnational repression—acts by foreign states to threaten or silence people living abroad.
Calling it a growing threat, the statement described it as an attack on sovereignty, national security, and human rights. It said such actions often target journalists, dissidents, activists, and religious minorities, especially those in diaspora communities.
The leaders agreed to coordinate efforts to stop this trend and uphold international law.
Zelenskyy appeals for Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the second day of the summit as Russia launched one of its biggest attacks since the war began—killing 15 people and injuring more than 150.
'It was a very difficult night,' Zelenskyy told leaders. He asked for continued military and diplomatic support, and said Ukraine is ready for peace talks, but only if pressure is applied on Russia for an unconditional ceasefire.
Canadian PM Carney said the attack 'underscores the importance of standing in total solidarity with Ukraine'.
France to host next summit
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will host the next G7 summit in June 2026. The meeting will take place in the Alpine spa town of Évian-les-Bains. Macron said the focus would be on maintaining unity among G7 nations and working closely with trusted partners to increase their influence on global issues.
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