New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an interview with Nikkei Asia, said he would raise the issues of the Global South at the G7 meeting and India will act as "a bridge between diverse voices and contribute to a constructive and positive agenda".

India was invited to the G7 meeting in Hiroshima by the host country Japan. While the G7 nations have been severely critical of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, India has been reticent to do so. Although Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that this is not an era of war, India has abstained from UN votes that are critical of Moscow.

Modi told Nikkei, "India stands on the side of peace, and will remain firmly there. We are committed to supporting those who face challenges in meeting their basic needs, especially in the face of rising costs of food, fuel, and fertilizers. We maintain communication with both Russia and Ukraine... Cooperation and collaboration should define our times, not conflict."

The prime minister spoke about India's plans to reform the UN, including India's bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council, saying there are "limitations" to global governance institutions which, he said, are functioning with "outdated mindsets."

Deficiencies in these institutions "have become evident in addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism, and financial crises," he told Nikkei. The UNSC's credibility and decision-making process "will always be questioned if it continues to deny representation on a permanent basis to the world", he added.

On China's ingressions at the border, Modi said that "India is fully prepared and committed to protect its sovereignty and dignity". He reiterated New Delhi's stance that "peace and tranquility in the border areas are essential for normal bilateral ties with China".

"The future development of India-China relationship can only be based on mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests," Modi told Nikkei.

The prime minister also said that India's participation in the Quad grouping – which is seen as a way to limit China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region – and the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation "is not contradictory or mutually exclusive for India". Both forums further India's goals, one to foster "a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region" and the other to increase India's engagement with the Central Asian region.

India wants "normal and neighborly relations" with Pakistan, the prime minister said, but added that "it is incumbent upon them to create a conducive environment free from terrorism and hostilities. The onus is on Pakistan to take necessary steps in this regard".

Speaking about his domestic priorities, Modi noted that India's economy made progress since 2014 to become the 5th largest from the 10th largest. "While it is true that global headwinds pose challenges to growth, we have built a strong foundation in recent years, which positions us favorably," he told the newspaper. Modi also said his government plans to transform India into a developed nation before the country celebrates 100 years of independence.

The prime minister is also scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, on the evening of Saturday, May 20.

This will be the first meeting between the two leaders since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, though they have had multiple phone calls to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Their last meeting was in Glasgow on the sidelines of the COP26 meeting on November 2, 2021.

On the sidelines of the G7 meeting, to which India has been invited by the host country Japan, the prime minister is also expected to meet with the leaders of Quad nations. The planned summit in Sydney had to be cancelled after US President Joe Biden pulled out to focus on domestic issues. According to The Hindu, the leaders of the four Quad countries – US, India, Japan and Australia – will meet around 8 pm on Saturday.

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