India: Voice Of The Global South At G7

Source: Indian Express 
GS II: Bilateral, Regional, and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Evolution of G7 and India’s Growth
3. Key Highlights

Why in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 2026 G7 Summit in France as an invited leader, reflecting India’s growing global significance.

News in Brief

• The summit provided India a platform to represent the interests and concerns of developing countries (Global South).
• Discussed issues in shaping economic power, technological advantage and development.
• India highlighted key issues such as climate finance, energy security, sustainable development, and technology governance to promote equitable global growth.

Evolution of G7 and India’s Growth

• The G7 has evolved from a grouping of industrialised economies into a forum that influences global trade, financial flows, technology standards, and supply chains.
• India’s large economy, growing technological capabilities, and leadership of the developing countries make it an indispensable participant in the G7.

Key Highlights

• On Critical Minerals and Supply-chain resilience
  • India and G7 countries share an interest in securing lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth minerals supplies as central to the energy transition.
  • Diversifying supply chains and reducing dependence on a limited number of suppliers.
• On Artificial Intelligence
  • AI raises concerns regarding governance, safety standards and technological sovereignty and energy issues driven by electricity demand for data centres and advanced computing.
  • India, through its progress in digital public infrastructure, can contribute to developing equitable and inclusive global frameworks for emerging technologies.
    • • Initiatives such as Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and CoWIN demonstrate in promoting inclusion and improved public service delivery.
• On energy transition
  • India’s progress in renewable energy, green hydrogen, biofuels and electricity mobility makes it a key voice in global energy discussions.
  • The transition towards clean energy is creating new investment, industries, employment opportunities and technological innovation.
  • Reliable, accessible, and affordable remains essential for economic growth.
• On Economic Security
  • The summit focuses on economic growth, debt sustainability, and support for developing countries facing economic challenges.
  • Multilateral Development Banks require reforms to mobilise greater resources for development and climate action.
  • Highlighting the rise of industrial policies and risks of protectionist measures, India supports transparent trade rules that promote development while ensuring fair competition.
• On climate finance
  • Climate finance commitments made by developed countries have often not translated into adequate financial assistance on the ground.
  • India emphasises sustainable development, climate justice, and the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).
• On Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
  • The European Union’s CBAM may increase costs for exporters from developing countries, including India, affecting sectors such as steel, cement, and aluminium.
  • It was presented as a climate policy but it operates as a trade barrier.
  • Ensure environmental regulations support climate action without creating discriminatory barriers to trade.

By advocating the interests of developing countries, India became a constructive stakeholder capable of shaping global governance.

G7 Key Takeaways

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding India’s participation in G7

1. 1. India regularly participates in G7 Summits as an invited country.
   2. India became a permanent member of the G7 after its G20 Presidency.
   3. India advocates greater representation of developing countries in international institutions such as G7.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 and 3

c) 1 and 3

d) 1,2 and 3

Answer: c) 1 and 3

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