INDIA’S PARTICIPATION IN THE G7 SUMMIT from Vajirao & Reddy Institute

INDIA’S PARTICIPATION IN THE G7 SUMMIT

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, on June 16-17, 2025, following an invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
• This marks PM Modi's sixth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit, despite India not being a permanent member.
• India's repeated invitations highlight its growing global influence and its role as a voice for the Global South, especially on critical global issues.

• Dates: June 16-17, 2025.
• Location: Kananaskis, Canada.
• Invitation: Invited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
• Significance for PM Modi: This marks his sixth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit.
• PM's Statement: Stated the summit will provide a platform for exchanging views on global issues and the priorities of the Global South. Also looks forward to engaging with partner country leaders.

• Members: Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States.
• Nature: Informal forum of seven of the world’s most advanced and industrialized democracies.
• Formation:
  • Formed as G6 in 1975 to coordinate global economic policy.
  • Became G7 in 1976 with Canada joining.
  • Became G8 in 1997 when Russia joined, but Russia was suspended in 2014 after annexing Crimea, returning it to G7.

• Scope: Over the years, its scope expanded to include climate change, security, development, and technology.

• Annual Meeting: Annual gathering of the heads of state or government of the G7 countries.
• Purpose: High-level forum to discuss global challenges and coordinate policies on international issues.
• Discussions: Leaders hold closed-door talks on economy, climate change, global health, conflicts, and AI.
• Outcomes: Negotiate joint declarations, known as communiqués, summarizing shared commitments.
• Hosting: One member country hosts the summit each year, setting the agenda and inviting guest countries (like India, Brazil, South Africa, Australia).

• Frequency: India has been invited to the G7 Summit more than ten times.
• First Invitation: 2003, when then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee attended in France as a special guest.
• Regular Participation:
  • 2005-2009: Then PM Manmohan Singh participated annually.
  • Since 2019: PM Modi has attended every year (France 2019, US 2020 (cancelled), UK 2021 (virtual), Germany 2022, Japan 2023, Canada 2025).
• Role: India attends as an "outreach partner" or "special invitee," not a formal member.

• Major Global Player: India is a key global player and a significant voice in the Global South.
• Economic Clout: World's 5th largest economy.
• Key Pillar in Global Supply Chains: Important for critical minerals, climate initiatives, and digital transformation.
• Input for Global Solutions: Hosting countries seek India's input for balanced global solutions.
• Bridging Representation Gaps: Inviting PM Modi helps include perspectives from the Global South on issues like food security, energy access, climate justice, and pandemic resilience.
• External Affairs Minister's View: Stated that India's presence brings benefits to the G7 and allows the Global South to voice its concerns about international order inequities.

• Highlighted that inviting Modi "made sense" to:
  • Support rebuilding ties.
  • Explore cooperation on intelligence sharing and trade corridors (like IMEC - India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor).
  • Reassert mutual strategic importance.
• Consistent Participation: India has regularly participated in outreach sessions since 2019, focusing on climate, digital transformation, biodiversity, and health.

• First Meeting: This will be PM Modi’s first meeting with Canadian PM Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.
• Opportunity to Reset: The External Affairs Ministry views this as an opportunity to reset India-Canada relations.
  • Aims to rebuild relations based on mutual respect, shared interests, and addressing each other's concerns.
• PM Modi's Canada Visit: This is PM Modi’s first visit to Canada in a decade.

• Relations were strained after former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's allegation in September 2023 about Indian agents' involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
• India strongly denied the allegation as "absurd" and counter-accused Canada of harboring separatist and radical elements.
• This led to diplomatic expulsions and downgraded ties.
• Crucial Step: The Modi-Carney meeting is considered a crucial step towards mending the relationship that has been at a historic low.