On January 1, 2024, Italy assumed the presidency of the G-7 for the seventh time gearing up to host the 50th G7 Summit from June 13 to June 15 in Apulia in Italy. The event will gather leaders from the G7 member states, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, US as well as representation from the European Union (EU).
Italy has also invited several states and international organisations to the Outreach of the Session Summit. This will mark India’s eleventh participation with PM Narendra Modi attending for the fifth time. India has participated in ten G7 Outreach Sessions beginning in 2003 and continuation through various host countries including the UK, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy, France and Japan (2023). Indian participation has consistently been at the Prime minister level underscoring the country’s high-level commitment to the summit’s objectives.
The 50th G7Summit will feature two Outreach Sessions focusing on Key Areas such as the Indo-Pacific Africa, Climate change, the environment migration and artificial intelligence. India’s invitation to these sessions highlights its growing importance to the global stage. As the fifth largest economy, India’s GDP surpasses those of the three G7 member countries namely France, Italy and Canada.
Following its successful G20 Presidency, India has emerged as the strong advocate for the Global South. At previous G7 Summits, India has consistently highlighted issues pertinent to the Global South. At the 2023 G7 Summit, in Hiroshima. PM Modi participated in three plenary sessions that addressed the multiple crisis, climate resilience and global peace.
India’s contributions to the global initiatives such as the Lifestyle for Environment (LIFE), the International Year of Millets, and the Millets and Other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative (MAHARISHI) were organised in the Hiroshima Action Plan for Resilient Global Food Security. The G7 originated as the G6 in 1975 in response to the first oil crisis, with Canada joining the following year.
From 2010 to 2014, Russia’s inclusion briefly expanded the group to the G8. The G7 operates without formal charter or secretariat relying on the presidency to set the annual agenda. Collectively, the G7 nations represent nearly 45 percent of the global GDP and over ten percent of the world population.
Originally focused on economic issues, the G7 has evolved into a platform for addressing broader global challenges including peace and security, counter-terrorism, development, education, health, environment and climate change.
Since 2003, the G7 has invited non-member countries particularly from Asia and Africa to participate in Outreach Sessions. These sessions foster international cooperation and have expanded to include interactions with non-governmental stake holders on business, civil society, labour, science, academia, women’s rights and youth.
