G7 : It’s Time To Get India In

NewsAnalytics Bureau

a 5 mins read.

The Library Group

When President Nixon invited West Germany, France and the UK over an informal consultation on mutual economic benefits way back in 1973; little did he realise that he was about to lay the foundation of a formidable global body that would play a highly significant geopolitical role in the next century. The discussions were to circle drawing mutual economic benefits post-industrialisation. Interestingly, the place where these discussions were to be held was the White House Library and hence the grouping was colloquially named ‘The Library Group’.

This grouping soon added the rest of the members Japan, Italy and Canada. The deliberations were decided to be held annually and hosted by a rotating presidency. In 1997 G7 invited Russia as a guest observer and later next year admitted it as a full-fledged member. The membership swelled to eight full member countries including the European Union (EU) as a “non-enumerated member” since 1981. The group was subsequently termed G8 or Group of Eight to reflect the collective numerical strength of its participating members.

Russian inclusion in G7 was more of a strategic decision, similar to the inclusion of the EU, as Russia neither was meeting the criteria of leading economic power nor was considered to reflect democratic credentials as the other member states have defined for the grouping. This was the precise reason why China which has an authoritarian form of government could never be invited as a member of this grouping.

Spreading Influence

The grouping sensed its increasing weight in global affairs propelled by two distinct characteristics – its economic expanse & military might. The grouping also had multilayered binding among most members in terms of the common ground of being imperialist powers, drivers of the global economy, NATO participants (barring Russia) and largely European identity. This helped the grouping to be extensively interlinked in intent and overlapped in outlook. In 1980 the group agreed to include agendas related to global security as many of the members voiced support for the theory of security preceding economy. Subsequently, it took up the issues of Iran Iran-Iraq war and the Soviet’s invasion of Afghanistan as part of internal security deliberations.

The membership of Russia since its inclusion continued to be an uncomfortable feature of the G8. Russia was mostly considered as an outlier within the G8 generating an element of distrust, which often voiced dissenting views. The simmering constraints Russia reflected during its confrontation with Georgia in 2008, exploded in 2014 when Russia claimed Crimea as its territory. Russia was promptly expelled from G8, with that grouping came back to its pre-1997 model and was again rechristened as G7. However, Russian presence was continuously prodded by members like France and the US. They held the belief that Russia must be integrated into the ‘European Way’ and opportunities for such a push must not be discarded.

The grouping soon became a highly influential global voice on matters of security and economic trends. It represented more than half of the global net wealth, 43% of the Global GDP and 10% of the consumer base, a big statistical figure. It also became the lead for other similar ventures like G20 or G77. Realising the importance it held and shifting the global economic balance towards Asia, G7 started inviting some of the key players such as India, Australia and South Korea as ‘Guest Observers’. India was first invited in 2019 during the 45^th G7 summit in France and lately at Hiroshima Summit in Japan in March 2023. India took the opportunity of being seated at the global high table with utmost sincerity and has been represented by the country’s highest political leadership ever since.

New Norms 

The massive churring in global conduct in the last decade has been too dramatic to be accurately anticipated by anyone and even less, be prepared for the same. While the West was largely focused on increasing Russian assertiveness in European matters, China was quietly pushing its way under its new President Xi resulting in military confrontations later. Asia quickly emerged as a new ground for geopolitical influence and counter-influence. It became evident that large resources would have to be relocated to effectively manage emerging disturbances with China as its epicenter. G7 was leading in such assessment as the geopolitical fallout was expected to have the most severe impact on it.

G7 stares at crucial developments like global economic slowdown post-COVID, rapid nuclearisation of North Korea, Chinese assertiveness, the Ukraine conflict and now the Israel-Hamas war which threatens to engulf the entire Middle East polity. It has put forth an enormity of challenge in front of G7 which considers itself the lead administrator of the global agenda. G7 having somewhat settled as a grouping minus Russia, needs to shield itself from fast-evolving changes and conflicts; first by engaging with multiple stakeholders to create an environment of trust and second by actively pushing for solutions rising above individual national opinions. This will be a colossal expectation of a grouping that has been very cautious about its European credentials and Western worldview.

India’s Special Significance

India holds special importance with its enormous capacity to play a significant role within G7. India as the fifth largest world economy and largest democracy easily makes for a natural member of G7, if only the merits of parameters are adhered to. India’s size and geography also bring major pluses for the grouping. India’s national outlook both economic and geopolitical is closely connected with G7 which brings much-needed stability during any global upheavals. With India’s robust standing, even the G7 stands to gain as partners together. As a full member, India surely has much to contribute, better addressing G7’s core challenges whether it’s reshaping of global supply chain, complimenting green initiatives and boosting global infrastructure connectivity.

On its part, India looks to effectively participate in mega forums like G7, as it undoubtedly offers a complimenting boost to India’s worldview. The forum will remain un-invaded by China, which has become a major international concern today. India will thus be able to offer realistic and far-reaching counter approaches towards a plethora of artificial issues generated by China; whether for its economic predatory moves or aggressively pursuing multiple armed confrontations in the region.

India’s proven expertise in developing cost-effective solutions for challenges ranging from basic human needs to cutting-edge technologies can be exponentially rewarding for global good. The capacity and scale where India operates are highly unique and that’s the precise reason which makes for India’s worthy presence in any of the global platforms today. The question of ‘why India is still not a G7 member?’, already looks intriguingly tricky to many. It’s for G7 now to reflect upon the answers, as it wades through murky realities towards ambitious goals, on its part India appears firmly prepared to take the next big step on the ladder!

–Ravi Srivastava