Mains Practice Questions

Introduction: 

While India is not a member of the G7, its consistent presence in the summit’s Outreach sessions like in G7 Summit 2025 in Canada underscores its strategic importance. 

• At the same time, India’s Voice of Global South Summit further exemplifies its commitment to representing the interests of developing nations. 
• This engagement is a delicate balance between advancing India’s global diplomatic aspirations and safeguarding its strategic autonomy.

Body: 

India’s Engagement with the G7: Contributing to Diplomatic Aspirations

• Global Diplomatic Visibility: India’s participation in the G7 provides a space to present itself as a crucial voice of the Global South while engaging directly with world leaders.
  • Through this engagement, India showcases its rise as an economic and strategic power. 
  • During the recent summit, Indian Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need to address the Global South’s concerns, such as energy security and the economic consequences of unilateral sanctions.
• Strategic Partnerships: As a rising global power, India’s relationship with the G7 helps cement its role in global governance. 
  • India’s voice on global security, climate change, and economic justice holds weight in multilateral dialogues. 
    • This is reflected in India’s collaboration with the G7 countries on matters like critical minerals, energy transition, and cybersecurity.
• Shaping Global Trade and Economic Policy: India’s economic growth outpaces many of the G7 nations, making it a key player in the global economic ecosystem.
  • As the world’s fourth-largest economy and the fastest-growing major economy, India’s engagement at the G7 summit serves as a platform to push for fairer global trade practices, demand reform of international institutions like the WTO, and advocate for policies that benefit the Global South.
• Countering China’s Influence: India’s participation in the G7 also strengthens its counter-China strategy. 
  • As tensions rise due to China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India is positioning itself as a credible alternative to China's debt-trap diplomacy, especially in the Global South. 
  • Engaging with G7 countries provides India with an opportunity to counterbalance China’s influence in critical regions and sectors.

Challenges in Aligning with G7 Priorities: 

While India’s involvement in the G7 brings significant benefits, it also presents challenges, particularly in balancing Global South leadership with the West's priorities.

• Climate Change and Developmental Needs: While the G7 pushes for rapid decarbonization, India must reconcile its developmental needs with global climate commitments. 
  • With a large portion of its population and of the global south still dependent on fossil fuels for livelihood, India faces the challenge of balancing climate action with economic development.
• Maintaining Strategic Autonomy: India’s strategic autonomy is one of its core foreign policy pillars. 
  • India’s independent foreign policy and its nuanced position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict occasionally put it at odds with G7 priorities, where the West strongly condemns Russia’s actions.
• Domestic Constraints and Global Expectations: India must also navigate its domestic challenges, such as economic inequality, infrastructure gaps, and poverty alleviation, while participating in global dialogues. 
  • India’s push for greater representation of the Global South in global governance must be backed by consistent domestic reforms that align with international commitments, especially in the areas of governance, climate change, and trade.
• Bilateral Tensions: India’s participation in the G7 also occurs in the context of strained bilateral relationships with certain G7 countries, notably Canada, due to issues like the Khalistani separatism movement. 
  • Although India continues to engage with the G7, such tensions complicate its diplomatic positioning.

To balance India's strategic autonomy with its growing engagement in the G7, the following diplomatic measures can be considered:

• Enhanced Multilateral Diplomacy: Apart from G7, India should actively engage in multilateral platforms like the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to strengthen its diplomatic leverage, ensuring that its voice is heard on critical global issues such as climate change, trade, and security, while also reinforcing its leadership in the Global South.
• Strategic Bilateral Engagements: India must focus on deepening bilateral ties with G7 nations individually, while addressing key differences through constructive dialogues and diplomatic channels. 
  • This can help mitigate tensions, such as those with Canada, while preserving India's autonomy in foreign policy decisions.
• Climate Diplomacy and Sustainable Development: India should advocate for a more inclusive and equitable approach to climate action within the G7, emphasizing the importance of aligning global decarbonization goals with the developmental needs of the Global South. 
  • This can be achieved by promoting the concept of “climate justice” in global discussions.
• Flexible Foreign Policy Framework: India must maintain a nuanced foreign policy that allows it to engage with both the West and non-Western nations, balancing its interests in areas like trade, security, and regional stability. 
  • India can capitalize on its pivotal role in global supply chains and its position as the world’s most populous democracy, as noted by Canadian PM Carney
• Strengthening South-South Cooperation: India should continue to champion the interests of developing nations by fostering stronger South-South cooperation and partnerships. 
  • By reinforcing these ties, India can build a collective voice that aligns with the aspirations of the Global South, thus ensuring that its G7 engagement does not undermine its leadership role in these regions.

Conclusion

As External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar aptly put it: “The India Way, especially now, would be more of a shaper or decider rather than just be an abstainer.” This statement encapsulates India’s approach to its engagement with the G7 — pragmatic, principled, and poised to shape the future of global diplomacy. By participating in G7 outreach sessions, India enhances its diplomatic standing and promotes the voice of the Global South.