France: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday participated in the outreach session of the 2026 G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, where he voiced concerns over disruptions to maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz and highlighted the broader need for rebuilding trust and international solidarity in an increasingly interconnected world.
Addressing leaders at the summit, Modi emphasized that mutual trust has become one of the most valuable strategic assets in global affairs. Speaking during the session titled “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity,” he noted that the world is currently facing a shortage of trust despite growing interdependence among nations.
In a post on social media platform X after the session, the Prime Minister said that the theme of rebuilding partnerships and solidarity was especially relevant at a time when countries are more interconnected than ever before. He urged the international community to strengthen cooperation through equal partnerships and collective action to address shared global challenges.
A key issue raised by Modi was the impact of disruptions in maritime trade routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit corridors. Referring to the recent conflict in West Asia, he expressed concern about the consequences of instability in the region on global economic growth and energy security. Modi also noted that several Indian civilians had lost their lives during the conflict, underscoring the human cost of regional tensions.
The G7 Summit comes at a significant geopolitical moment, following the announcement of a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending months of hostilities. The development has eased concerns about a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial portion of the world’s oil and gas supplies passes.
During discussions at the summit, U.S. President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz was once again seeing oil flows resume following the agreement with Iran. He suggested that Washington would soon be in a position to reimpose sanctions on Russian oil, arguing that global energy markets were stabilizing. Trump stated that the United States could allow existing waivers for Russian oil shipments to lapse as conditions improved.
The summit’s agenda was dominated by discussions on the ongoing war in Ukraine, the situation in West Asia, global economic challenges, and health security concerns. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the gathering and met several world leaders, including Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, as he sought continued support for Kyiv in its war against Russia.
G7 leaders agreed to intensify pressure on Moscow in an effort to bring an end to the conflict that has continued for more than four years. Zelenskyy said participating leaders shared the view that Russia was not winning the war and discussed additional measures to encourage negotiations. He warned that Russia could face a difficult winter if a peace agreement was not reached.
Canada announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” energy revenues, defense-industrial entities, and actors linked to disinformation campaigns. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled the measures following his meeting with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the summit.
The United Kingdom also expanded sanctions against Russia. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the new restrictions, including measures targeting tankers transporting liquefied natural gas, were intended to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and halt Moscow’s war efforts. Starmer stressed that G7 nations would continue coordinated action until peace is restored in Europe.
Apart from geopolitical issues, leaders also addressed growing concerns over global debt vulnerabilities. In a joint statement, G7 countries pledged to strengthen efforts to tackle rising debt burdens that threaten economic stability and limit governments’ ability to fund essential public services. The leaders called for greater support for countries pursuing sustainable economic reforms and encouraged multilateral development banks to expand the use of risk-sharing financial instruments.
Health security was another major topic of discussion. The G7 leaders issued a statement calling for a “strong and coordinated response” to the re-emerging Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The appeal came amid warnings from humanitarian organizations that the outbreak has not yet reached its peak and poses significant regional health risks.
On the sidelines of the summit, Modi held bilateral talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The two leaders discussed ways to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, innovation, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The meeting signaled efforts by both countries to strengthen bilateral ties amid evolving global economic and strategic dynamics.
The summit, being held from June 15 to 17 in the scenic French resort town of Evian-les-Bains on the shores of Lake Geneva, has brought together leaders from France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada, along with representatives of the European Union and invited partner nations, including India.
This marks the eighth consecutive G7 Summit to which India has been invited, reflecting the country’s growing role in global governance discussions. Ahead of his visit, PM Modi had stated that he would use the platform to articulate the aspirations and concerns of the Global South.
