PM Modi is scheduled to visit Hiroshima for the G7 leaders summit on May 19, the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Japanese city since India conducted nuclear testing in Pokhran in 1974. The significance of Modis visit to Hiroshima stems from the fact that India is one of the remaining countries that has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). As the G7 leaders visit the Peace Memorial Park, dedicated to the victims and survivors of the 1945 atomic bomb strike, India hopes to address the Japanese peoples concerns about Indias nuclear testing and non-membership in the NPT, particularly at Hiroshima. The debates on nuclear disarmamentThe last Indian PM to visit Hiroshima was Jawaharlal Nehru in 1957, emphasising Modis historic visit. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is from Hiroshima and represents a constituency in central Hiroshima, values this occasion. The meeting presents a chance for Kishida to fight for a nuclear-free world, especially considering Russias potential deployment of nuclear weapons in the continuing conflict in Ukraine.Image: TwitterDuring the summit, India plans to present itself as a responsible nuclear power, citing its track record and recent Russian officials comments of concern about nuclear war rhetoric. India says that its nuclear programme is for peaceful reasons, and it maintains a unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests as well as a no-first-use nuclear weapons policy. India hopes to emphasise its commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation by emphasising these aspects.While Modi has attended three previous G7 summits, this one in Hiroshima is expected to provide particular obstacles due to Japanese nuclear sensitivity. As India presently has the G20 presidency, its officials are seeking G7 backing for their goals. Leaders from the G20 will also attend the G7 summit, giving the opportunity for bilateral discussions and participating during the G7 outreach session.Japans agendas for the G7 summitJapans invitation to India is considered part of an effort to broaden its outreach to the Global South, which includes around 120 developing and impoverished countries. Japan hopes to illustrate the G7s contributions to addressing their issues by highlighting Indias representation of the Global South. Furthermore, Japan hopes to use the Hiroshima summit to reaffirm the G7s commitment to upholding the international order based on the rule of law, dismissing any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or the potential threat of nuclear weapons, as Russia has done in Ukraine.Image: TwitterThe Japanese foreign ministry has selected a number of priority issues for Japans G7 presidency, including Ukraine, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, Indo-Pacific cooperation, economic resilience, and economic security. Japan anticipates more extensive talks on nuclear disarmament to send a strong message that the G7 is committed to advancing realistic and practical measures towards a future free of nuclear weapons. The G7 wants to reaffirm and strengthen collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. The G7 will focus on topics such as stable supply chains, non-market strategies and practices, and economic coercion in terms of economic resilience and security.Modi to visit Papua New Guinea and Australia after G7 summitAfter the G7 summit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to co-host the third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit with Prime Minister James Marape. FIPIC, which was founded in 2014, is made up of India and 14 Pacific Island countries. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Papua New Guinea. Modi will then visit Sydney in May to offer strategic depth and to strengthen bilateral ties with Australia. The visit to Australia is likely to concentrate on several sectors of cooperation, such as trade, defence, environmental issues, and maritime security.Prime Minister James Marape (Image: Twitter)Image: TwitterDuring his visit to Port Moresby, Prime Minister Modi will meet with Pacific Island leaders to talk about ways to improve collaboration in areas such as environmental protection, sustainable development, the maritime economy, and marine security. Indias engagement with Pacific Island states is motivated by its “Act East” policy, which aims to improve connectivity and develop collaborations with Indo-Pacific nations.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PM ModiPrime Minister Modi is scheduled to have discussions with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney to discuss a variety of subjects. The two heads of state are likely to discuss ways to increase trade and investment, strengthen defence cooperation, and work together to combat climate change. In recent years, India and Australia have strengthened their strategic connections, recognising the shared ideals of democracy, the rule of law, and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
