Introduction

In the recently concluded G-7 Summit at Italy's southern Puglia region was attended by world leaders namely, Joe Biden of US, Rishi Sunak of UK, Justin Trudeau of Canada, Emmanuel Macron of France, Fumio Kishida of Japan, Olaf Scholz of Germany and Giorgia Melony of the host country, Italy, along with Pope Francis and several other heads of State including Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. Italy assumed the presidency of G-7 this year and hosted the Summit in that capacity.

A Brief History of G-7

Place in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region in which the seven leaders present included Joe Biden from the U.S., Olaf Scholz from Germany, Justin Trudeau from Canada, Emmanuel Macron from France, Fumio Kishida from Japan, Rishi Sunak from the U.K., and the host, Giorgia Meloni from Italy. India participated in the Summit in the Outreach group.

G-7 is primarily a club of Western powers which was created in the aftermath of recessions and other economic crises that prompted America to create a multilateral group, G-7. To some extent, it was due to the failure of the United Nations and its allied institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to tackle these crises successfully. This new creation served its purpose during recessions and other economic crises but survived even after. In the long run, like other multilateral institutions such as BRICS, SCO and AUCUS, it undermined global multilateralism, championing partisan interests.1 This body, essentially a product of the financial crisis, started in the 1970s as a group of six countries-the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK. This body got additional members like Canada and Russia soon and the group became G-8. Later, countries like India, China and the European Union were added as the participants in 

Recently, a Summit of Seven Industrialized Nations took place in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region in which the seven leaders present included Joe Biden from the U.S., Olaf Scholz from Germany, Justin Trudeau from Canada, Emmanuel Macron from France, Fumio Kishida from Japan, Rishi Sunak from the U.K.,and the host, Giorgia Meloni from Italy. India participated in the Summit in the Outreach group. The Outreach group in 2023. Russia was expelled from the group in 2014 when it occupied Crimea. Once again, the group became G-7. This year Italy assumed its presidency and is the current host to the Summit.

Major Initiatives Taken During the Summit 2024

1. Making Provision for $50 billion in Loans for Ukraine

With a view to supporting Ukraine's current and future needs in regard to the Russian-Ukraine war, the G-7 countries have agreed to use proceeds from frozen Russian assets. For this purpose, the G-7 will launch ‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans for Ukraine’ in order to make available approximately $50 place in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region in which the seven leaders present included Joe Biden from the U.S.,Olaf Scholz from Germany, Justin Trudeau from Canada, Emmanuel Macron from France, Fumio Kishida from Japan, Rishi Sunak from the U.K.,and the host, Giorgia Meloni from Italy. India participated in the Summit in the Outreach group. billion in additional funding to Ukraine by the end of the year.2

2. Condemnation of Unfair Business Practices of China

During the Summit, leaders of G-7 vowed to tackle what they called unfair business practices by China that were undermining their workers and industries. The G-7 also warned of action against Chinese financial institutions that helped Russia obtain arms and ammunition for its war against Ukraine. They also discussed concerns about China's excess industrial capacity that is distorting local markets. In the draft statement, it was stressed that the G-7 was not trying to harm China or thwart its economic development. They further insisted that they would continue to take actions to protect their businesses from Recently, a Summit of Seven Industrialized Nations took place in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region in which the seven leaders present included Joe Biden from the U.S.,Olaf Scholz from Germany, Justin Trudeau from Canada, Emmanuel Macron from France, Fumio Kishida from Japan, Rishi Sunak from the U.K.,and the host, Giorgia Meloni from Italy. India participated in the Summit in the Outreach group. unfair practices, to level the playing field and remedy ongoing harm.

3. Alarm Against Artificial Intelligence

During the Summit, alarms were raised by the leaders against the increasing and possible misuse of artificial intelligence. Invited by Italy to address a special Summit session, Pope Francis urged G-7 leaders to prioritize human dignity in developing and using AI. He cautioned against reducing human relations to mere algorithms. Politicians must take the lead in making sure AI remains human-centric, he said. Expressing his concerns about AI, he said- “We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away people's ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines….We need to place in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region in which the seven leaders present included Joe Biden from the U.S.,Olaf Scholz from Germany, Justin Trudeau from Canada, Emmanuel Macron from France, Fumio Kishida from Japan, Rishi Sunak from the U.K.,and the host, Giorgia Meloni from Italy. India participated in the Summit in the Outreach group. Safeguard a space for proper human control over the choices made by AI.”3

4. Concerns Over Migration

Ensuing wars in the Ukraine and Gaza region have resulted in large-scale migration from the war-torn countries. Italy seems to be a vastly affected country from migration. Italy lies on one of the major routes into the European Union for people fleeing war and poverty in

Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Italia Premier Giorgia Meloni has been eager to raise investments for African nations as a means of lowering migratory pressure on Europe. Italy “wanted to dedicate ample space to another continent that is fundamental to the future of all of us, which is Africa, with its difficulties, its opportunities", she said at the Summit opening. According to UNHCR figures, Recently, a Summit of Seven Industrialized Nations took place in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region in which the seven leaders present included Joe Biden from the U.S.,Olaf Scholz from Germany, Justin Trudeau from Canada, Emmanuel Macron from France, Fumio Kishida from Japan, Rishi Sunak from the U.K.,and the host, Giorgia Meloni from Italy. India participated in the Summit in the Outreach group. over 22,000 people have arrived in Italy by sea so far in 2024. Over 157,000 arrived in 2023, and nearly 2,000 died or went missing while attempting the deadly

Mediterranean crossing. Apart from the G-7 nations, the Italian hosts have also invited several African leaders including the Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Kenyan President William Ruto and Tunisian President Kais Saied, to press Meloni's migration and development initiatives.4 Apart from Italy, the US has also been struggling with a number that is growing day by day of migrants at its southern border. President Joe Biden introduced new policies to curb migration after a Bill he attempted to get through Congress failed to muster enough support.5

Indian Stance at G-7 Summit

place in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region in which the seven leaders present included Joe Biden from the U.S.,Olaf Scholz from Germany, Justin Trudeau from Canada, Emmanuel Macron from France, Fumio Kishida from Japan, Rishi Sunak from the U.K.,and the host, Giorgia Meloni from Italy. India participated in the Summit in the Outreach group.

1. The Importance of Global South

India's stand on various issues was clearly and emphatically pronounced by the Indian Prime Minister

Narendra Modi. Delivering his statement at the G-7 Outreach Session on Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa and Mediterranean, attended by the G-7 leaders, he pitched India as the ‘voice of Global South.’ He said India has considered it “its responsibility to place the priorities and concerns of the countries of the Global South on the world stage.” Delhi had organized two Voice of Global South summits in 2023.

2. On Artificial Intelligence

Speaking about Artificial Intelligence of the Outreach Session of G-7, the Indian Prime Minister stated “We have Recently, a Summit of Seven Industrialized Nations took place in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region in which the seven leaders present included Joe Biden from the U.S.,Olaf Scholz from Germany, Justin Trudeau from Canada, Emmanuel Macron from France, Fumio Kishida from Japan, Rishi Sunak from the U.K.,and the host, Giorgia Meloni from Italy. India participated in the Summit in the Outreach group. to make technology creative, not destructive….During the G-20 Summit hosted by India last year, we emphasized the importance of international governance in the field of AI. In the time to come, we will continue to work together with all countries to make AI transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible.” He further underlined the human-centric approach which India is striving for a better future. India is among the first few countries to formulate a National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence and on the basis of this strategy, India has launched the AI mission. He also cautioned against the improper use of technology and said “There is hardly any aspect of human life that is deprived of the influence of technology. While on one hand technology gives the courage to take man to the Moon, on the other hand it also creates challenges like cyber security.”6

place in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region in which the seven leaders present included Joe Biden from the U.S.,Olaf Scholz from Germany, Justin Trudeau from Canada, Emmanuel Macron from France, Fumio Kishida from Japan, Rishi Sunak from the U.K.,and the host, Giorgia Meloni from Italy. India participated in the Summit in the Outreach group.

3. On Energy

On another theme of the Outreach Session, energy, Prime Minister Modi said that India’s approach in the field of energy is also based on four principles: “ availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability.” He stated that India is the first country to fulfill all the commitment to achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070. India has started Mission LiFE i.e. Lifestyle For Environment to enter into a Green Era.7

Conclusion

The recently held G-7 Summit in Italy has been successful in showcasing the concerns of modern-day governance. In its transformed political outfit, G-7 multilateral body has discussed and deliberated upon those issues which are Recently, a Summit of Seven Industrialized Nations took place in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region in which the seven leaders present included Joe Biden from the U.S., Olaf Scholz from Germany, Justin Trudeau from Canada, Emmanuel Macron from France, Fumio Kishida from Japan, Rishi Sunak from the U.K., and the host, Giorgia Meloni from Italy. India participated in the Summit in the Outreach group. bothering the whole of humanity. The very purpose of such international forums is to continue the debate raging on other international multilateral bodies like the United Nations and its allied organs. India was invited in this Summit for the Outreach Session but it has successfully conveyed to the world leaders its successes, strategies for future and its concern for the global south. The Indian Prime Minister has well articulated several agenda issues with clarity and firmness. Though the aim and purpose of the G-7 Summit were limited in scope, the presence of world's most powerful leaders deliberating upon the burning issues has made the Summit more meaningful. India has definitely gained in stature from this conference. Now, this is the turn of the G-7 leaders to take heed of the matters of concern raised emphatically by India.

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References:

1. Ram Madhav, The relevance challenge, The Indian Express, Jun 15, 2024.
2. Ibid.
3. Reuters, G7 leaders hammer China over Russia links and ‘harmful’ trade, Hindustan Times, Jun 15, 2024.
4. AFP, On Day 2 of Summit, Italy Leads G7 Charge to Tackle Migration, The Economic Times, Jun 15, 2024.
5. Elena Becatoros, G7 leaders discuss plan to invest in African countries to tackle migration, The Indian Express, Jun 15, 2024.
6. Shubhajit Roy, Victory of the entire democratic world: PM to G7 on election win, The Indian Express, Jun 15, 2024.
7. Ibid.