G7 Summit 2025

G7 Summit 2025

Why in News? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently received an official invitation from Canada to participate in the G7 Summit at Kananaskis in Alberta. This summit will take place from 15th to 17th June, where India’s significant participation on global issues will be prominently observed.

What is the G7 Summit 2025?

• Introduction:

• • • The G7 Summit is an annual gathering of leaders from the world’s major democratic and developed economies, who come together on a shared platform to discuss and find solutions to emerging global challenges.
    • It provides an opportunity not only for dialogue on economic issues, but also for developing strategies of cooperation on matters like climate change, geopolitics, technology, and global crises.

• Origin:

• • • The G7 originally formed as a coordinated response to a severe economic downturn. The 1973 oil crisis destabilized the global economy, prompting major industrialized nations to feel the need for mutual coordination.
    • In 1975, on the invitation of the President of France, leaders of the United States, United Kingdom, France, West Germany, Japan, and Italy gathered for an informal meeting.
      • That inaugural meeting established the blueprint for subsequent annual G7 gatherings.
    • In 1976, with the inclusion of Canada, the group became a seven-member entity, and came to be known as the “Group of Seven” or G7.

• Member Countries:

• • • The G7 members are not only economically leading nations, but they also play a prominent role in shaping global decisions and policies.
    • Today’s G7 membership consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
    • Along with them, the European Union is also invited, represented through the Presidents of the Commission and the Council.
    • These countries control a major portion of the world’s total GDP, and their technological, military, and diplomatic capabilities make them highly influential.
      • India is not a member of the G7, but it is repeatedly invited as a special guest participant.
      • International organizations such as the United Nations, IMF, World Bank, and OECD are also invited to G7 summits.

• Objectives:

• • • Facilitating dialogue: Member nations share their perspectives through open discussions.
    • Planning collective actions: Such as joint strategies on climate change, pandemics, cybersecurity, or global trade imbalances.
    • Setting the global agenda: The declarations of the G7 often influence international organizations and policy frameworks of other nations.

• Characteristics:

• • The G7 operates informally, emphasizing open conversation rather than strict bureaucratic protocols.
  • There is no permanent secretariat, and it does not possess any legislative power.
  • Each year, one member nation assumes the presidency, and it organizes the summit.
  • All decisions are made by consensus, making the forum rooted in partnership and agreement.

G7 Summit 2025

• Venue and Date:
  • The 50th G7 Summit is set for June 15–17, 2025, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
• Themes:
  • As fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, Digital Commerce, and Biosciences grow rapidly, the global regulatory systems are lagging far behind. This will be a key point of discussion at the G7 summit.
  • Issues like China’s trade practices, cyberattacks, and manipulations in supply chains will be prominently raised during this summit.
  • There will also be a strong focus on tightening sanctions on Russia and showcasing political unity against its cyber and military aggressions.
  • Climate change remains a major global concern. With this in mind, the 2025 G7 Summit will emphasize a policy of including developing nations as partners in addressing climate challenges.

Global Influence of the G7 Group

• Global Economy:
  • Collectively, G7 nations command approximately 60% of global wealth and account for 46% of the world’s GDP.
  • This group is capable of influencing the policies of international financial institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, and WTO.
  • The economic policies of the G7 are not limited to its members alone but also shape trade trends, investment patterns, and the direction of global markets.
• Climate Crisis Solutions:
  • The G7 plays a leadership role in the global efforts to combat climate change.
  • These countries made a decisive contribution in shaping the 2015 Paris Agreement and have shown firm commitments to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, and advance green technologies.
  • Each year, G7 summits involve discussions on green finance, climate adaptation, and models like carbon tax, which serve as policy inspirations for other nations.
• Global Health Crises:
  • The G7 is one of the key groups laying the foundation for global health security.
  • During crises like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, G7 countries took effective measures in vaccine research, health infrastructure funding, and emergency assistance.
  • The health strategies of this group are not only applied in developed countries, but also provide relief in regions like Africa, South Asia, and Latin America through their support.
• Policy Formation in Geopolitics:
  • On issues such as terrorism, cyberattacks, regional conflicts, and strategic instability, this group makes joint declarations and increases cooperation on defensive strategies.
  • In response to aggressive actions by Russia and China, the G7 has attempted to send a global message through sanctions, condemnation resolutions, and diplomatic pressure.
  • This forum also plays an active role in ensuring international stability through strategic cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint military exercises.

India’s Role in the G7 Summit

• Participation:
  • India is regularly invited as a guest participant at successive G7 meetings.
  • India actively joined the G7 Summits hosted by France in 2019, the UK in 2021, and Germany in 2022.
  • For 2025, Canada has officially extended an invitation to India to attend the summit.
• Significance:
  • Economic Power:
    • India’s economy has now surpassed several G7 countries.
    • India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is now larger than that of the UK, France, Italy, and Canada, which are G7 members.
    • With $3.57 trillion USD, India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy, and its growth rate is the fastest among major economies.
    • A young population, low production costs, and vast market size have made India a top destination for global investors.
  • Strategic Partnership:
    • India has emerged as a natural partner for Western nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
    • To balance China’s growing influence, G7 countries like the USA, Japan, Germany, and the UK have promoted strategic partnerships with India.
    • India’s strong naval presence in the Indian Ocean and its regional diplomacy make it a stable power center.
    • Stronger relations with Italy, maritime cooperation with France, and participation in multilateral frameworks like QUAD are also contributing factors.
  • Energy Crisis:
    • India has played a crucial role in balancing Europe’s energy crisis.
    • By purchasing crude oil from Russia at discounted rates and exporting it to Europe in refined form, India has supported energy balance.

Due to the Ukraine war, as European countries distanced themselves from Russia, India has emerged as an alternative hub in the energy supply chain.