India’s global aspirations: Engaging the G-7

Madhurjya Saikia

(madhurjyatu15@gmail.com)

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently participated in the Outreach Session of the G-7 Summit in Kananaskis, where he addressed a crucial session on ‘Energy Security: diversification, technology and infrastructure to ensure access and affordability in a changing world’. Expressing gratitude to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for the invitation, he congratulated the G-7 on its 50-year milestone.

The G-7 is an informal group of seven advanced economies and the European Union, founded in 1975 after the oil crisis. Its original members were France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, with Canada joining in 1976. Russia was a member from 1998 to 2014, when the group reverted to the G-7 format. These countries represent about 10% of the world’s population and nearly 30% of the global economy. The G-7 meets annually to discuss global economic and geopolitical issues. Their agenda changes yearly, covering topics like international peace, economic growth, climate change, AI, health, and trade. Decisions are made by consensus, aiming for solutions that benefit the entire world.

India, though not a formal G-7 member, is recognized as a powerful and influential global player. Since 2003 and consistently every year since 2019, India has been invited to the G-7 Summits as an outreach partner more than eleven times. This frequent inclusion highlights India’s role as the world’s fourth-largest economy and a key voice for the Global South in addressing global challenges like climate change, energy security, and economic development. India’s aspirations for global power, its advocacy for the Global South, and its pioneering efforts in promoting a multilateral world order through sustainable development agendas all contribute to its leadership position in the world.

In his address in the Outreach Session of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that energy security stands as a paramount challenge for future generations. India’s commitment to inclusive growth emphasises that the nation’s energy security approach is underpinned by the principles of availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability. Despite being the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India has successfully surpassed its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of schedule. India’s dedication to a sustainable and green future, citing global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Global Biofuels Alliance, Mission LiFE, and One Sun-One World-One Grid. He urged the international community to further strengthen these collaborative efforts.

Concerns were voiced regarding the debilitating impact of global uncertainties and conflicts on the countries of the Global South. India took on the responsibility to amplify the voices of these nations on the world stage, stressing that understanding their priorities and concerns is vital for a sustainable global future. Shifting to security challenges, there was a call for a stronger global fight against terrorism. Gratitude was expressed for the international community’s support in India’s anti-terrorism efforts, and the Pahalgam terror attack was condemned as an assault on all humanity. Strict action was advocated against countries that support and promote terrorism, asserting that there should be no double standards and that perpetrators should never be rewarded. Calling terrorism a grave threat, critical questions were posed to the international community: Will nations only comprehend the threat of terrorism when they become targets? How can terrorists and their victims be equated? Will global institutions remain passive observers of terrorism?

Finally, the intricate nexus between technology, AI, and energy was discussed. AI’s role in promoting efficiency and innovation was acknowledged, but its energy-intensive nature was also highlighted, stressing the need for sustainable, green initiatives in AI development. India’s human-centric approach to technology was elaborated on, emphasising that effective technology must improve the lives of common people. It was suggested that addressing AI-related global governance issues is key to tackling concerns and fostering innovation. The importance of securing resilient supply chains for critical minerals in the age of AI was also underlined, noting India’s abundant and diverse data as crucial for responsible AI development. The conclusion emphasised that a technology-driven world necessitates closer international cooperation for a sustainable future, with people and the planet at the core of progress.

As the world’s geopolitical and economic focus increasingly moves to the Indo-Pacific, European nations are eager to capitalise on the region’s economic prospects. However, the Indo-Pacific faces its complexities, notably China’s assertive expansion of its strategic and economic influence. In this context, India has become a crucial strategic ally for Western countries, particularly in managing China’s presence in the Indian Ocean. Among the G-7 members, India maintains strategic partnerships with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan. Its ties with Italy are also rapidly strengthening in the strategic sphere. While it’s uncertain if the G-7 will expand to include India, India’s continued engagement with the group is essential for addressing the challenges the G-7 currently faces.