Answer

India’s participation as an observer at the G7 Summit in Canada (June 2025) reflects its growing global engagement amidst a fragmented Western alliance. With internal rifts within G7 and competing priorities, India seeks to promote strategic autonomy, highlight Global South concerns, and elevate its geopolitical influence.

Challenges for India at the G7 amid a Fragmented West

• Political Divergences within G7: Internal disagreements among G7 members over issues like Ukraine, China, and AI regulation hinder consensus, limiting the forum’s effectiveness.
  Eg. The United States and the European Union differ on sanctions and trade strategies involving China and Russia.
• Shifting Global Priorities: The G7’s emphasis on energy security, green transition, and regional conflicts may overlook India-centric issues such as climate finance or equitable tech access.
  Eg. The 2025 summit agenda prioritized digital infrastructure and clean tech, sidelining Global South developmental needs.
• G7–BRICS Rivalry: Rising institutional rivalry between G7 and BRICS+ challenges India’s balancing act, especially when aligning with both platforms.
• Diaspora-Driven Disruptions: Protests by diaspora groups during summits often conflict with India’s official narrative, attracting international media scrutiny.
  Eg. Pro-Khalistan protests in Canada during the summit created diplomatic discomfort for India.
• Limited Institutional Influence: As a non-member guest, India lacks voting rights, which limits its role in shaping G7 declarations or outcomes.
• Pressure on Strategic Alignment: India faces pressure to align with Western narratives on Russia, Iran, and China, potentially compromising its strategic autonomy.
  Eg. G7’s call for broader sanctions on Russia indirectly targeted India’s energy trade with Moscow.
• Declining G7 Effectiveness: Growing internal differences and limited enforcement mechanisms have reduced the G7’s global impact, diminishing India’s incentive to over-invest diplomatically.

How India Can Safeguard and Promote Its Interests at the G7

• Champion Multipolar Governance: India can push for inclusive global governance, focusing on Global South issues like debt restructuring, climate justice, and digital equity.
  Eg. India’s G20 presidency in 2023 laid the groundwork for advocating equitable global rules at G7.
• Leverage Critical Tech and Minerals Collaboration: India can use its PLI schemes and digital growth to align with G7 needs in semiconductors, EVs, and rare earths.
  Eg. India–Canada talks focused on joint development of critical mineral supply chains.
• Strengthen Bilateral Partnerships: India can deepen ties with individual G7 members through focused dialogues on trade, defence, and technology.
  Eg. On the summit sidelines, India advanced agreements with Germany and Japan on digital standards and clean energy.
• Act as a Strategic Mediator: India’s balanced stance allows it to mediate G7 divides, especially regarding Russia and China, projecting itself as a neutral problem solver.
  Eg. India’s refusal to endorse unilateral sanctions reinforced its non-aligned diplomacy.
• Promote Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India can globalize its DPI models like UPI and Aadhaar, advocating open, sovereign digital frameworks.
• Integrate ISA with Climate Goals: As leader of the International Solar Alliance, India can collaborate on G7’s clean energy financing and global decarbonization efforts.
• Expand Connectivity Alternatives: India can promote the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) as a G7-backed alternative to China’s Belt and Road.

India’s engagement at the G7 offers an opportunity to balance strategic partnerships with global ambitions. By advocating inclusive governance, promoting digital and climate innovations, and preserving strategic autonomy, India can rise as a credible bridge-builder in an increasingly divided world order.

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