G7 invites Syria to summit

France is preparing to bring Syria into next month’s Group of Seven summit as a guest country, according to three sources cited by Reuters, in a move that would put Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the June 15-17 meeting in Evian-les-Bains. The invitation, if carried through as described by the sources, would give Syria its first participation in a summit of the group since the forum was founded in 1975. (usnews.com) The development comes as the White House has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the same summit. It also comes as Indian media report that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected in France and could hold a sideline meeting with Trump focused on trade. (elysee.fr) ### How is Syria being brought into the summit? Reuters reported on May 21 that Syria will attend the summit as a guest nation and that al-Sharaa will represent it, citing three sources familiar with the matter. One of those sources, identified by Reuters as a Syrian official, said the invitation was hand-delivered to Syrian Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh during G7 financial talks in Paris earlier this week. The same Reuters report said Syria’s participation would likely focus on its role as what the Syrian official called a “potential strategic hub for supply chains” after shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted by the Iran war. (usnews.com) Reuters also reported that Syria, emerging from a 14-year civil war, is seeking foreign investment and more normal banking ties as sanctions imposed during the Assad era are eased. ### What does France say about the June meeting itself? The French presidency says the 2026 G7 summit will be held in Evian from June 15 to June 17. The Elysee’s summit page describes Evian as the host site for the leaders’ meeting and lists recent preparatory events held under France’s presidency this year. (usnews.com) France has not, in the material reviewed here, publicly laid out a guest list on the Elysee page. But Reuters’ reporting places Syria among the invited non-member participants, and Indian press reports say Modi has also been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron. (usnews.com) ### Why does Trump’s attendance matter to this meeting? The White House confirmed on May 19 that Trump will attend the G7 leaders’ meeting in France, according to Reuters. Reuters said Axios first reported that Trump wanted to use the meeting to discuss linking U.S. aid to trade, promoting U.S.-developed artificial intelligence tools and reducing China’s hold over critical mineral supply chains. (elysee.fr) Reuters also reported that Trump’s relations with several G7 partners had become strained over the war with Iran and other issues. That means his attendance puts U.S. trade, technology and security priorities directly into a summit already expanding beyond the core G7 membership. (usnews.com) ### Where does India fit into the sidelines? Indian media reports say Modi is expected to attend the Evian summit as a special invitee and could meet Trump on the margins. One report surfaced by search results said Macron had invited Modi to the June 15-17 summit and that a Modi-Trump encounter would be closely watched for trade discussions. (usnews.com) That prospective meeting has not been confirmed in the Reuters reports reviewed here. But the expectation of a Modi-Trump sideline session adds to the list of bilateral conversations likely to run alongside the formal G7 agenda in Evian. (usnews.com) ### What should readers watch next? June 15 is the next fixed date. That is when leaders are due to begin gathering in Evian-les-Bains for the three-day summit hosted by France, with Trump confirmed to attend and Reuters reporting that al-Sharaa is expected as Syria’s representative. Any formal publication of the guest list by the French presidency, or any White House or Indian government statement on sideline meetings, would be the next concrete sign of how broad this year’s summit will be. (msn.com) (elysee.fr)