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News: PM of India attended the G7 annual summit meeting in Germany along with other special invitees from Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal, and South Africa.
Most of the deliberations took aim at the twin challenges seen from Russia and China.
What economic initiatives were discussed?
G7 countries discussed the following economic initiatives:
– the launch of a $600 billion U.S.-led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII)
– commitments on fighting climate change
– funding renewable energy changes
– mitigating inflation
– managing the continued global crisis over the COVID-19 pandemic
What other issues were discussed at the meeting?
Challenges to the international order that emanate from Moscow’s war in Ukraine (including tightening sanctions, the impact on energy markets, and cybersecurity threats),
Beijing’s “expansive maritime claims”, rights violations, and unsustainable debt creation in lower income countries.
The G-7 countries issued separate statements on support for Ukraine, food security and a ‘Climate Club’.
In addition, the G-7 and special invitee “partner countries” issued a statement on “Resilient Democracies”, committing to free and fair elections, protecting freedom of expression, and gender empowerment.
What was India’s stand at the summit?
The Prime Minister of India made it clear that it is the developing world that needs the most support, including to weather the “knock-on” effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Government sought to distance itself from the PGII, pitched as a G-7 counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
India also made it evident that it had only signed on to the statements on “Resilient Democracies” and a “Just Energy Transition”, and not the many statements castigating Russia and China.
India also stayed away from President Putin and President Xi’s stringent criticism of the West.
Way forward
On the global stage, the G-7 outcomes mean New Delhi will have to continue to walk a tightrope between these two blocs that are growing more polarised and inimical towards each other.
Source: This post is based on the article “Home and abroad: On PM Modi’s G-7 commitments and freedom of speech” published in The Hindu on 1st Jul 22.
