The recent G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in London, ahead of the 47th G7 Summit scheduled for June 2021, brought together representatives from the USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. As the UK plays host to this year’s summit, several key discussions from this preliminary meeting have garnered attention. Additionally, the significance and implications of invited guests from Australia, India, South Korea, South Africa and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been spotlighted.
Invited Guests: Expanding the G7 Horizon
Australia, India, South Korea and South Africa, along with Brunei Darussalam representing ASEAN, were the notable invitees at the ministerial meeting, paving the way for their attendance at the G7 summit in June. These invitations hint at an expanded view of international cooperation beyond the traditional G7 nations.
Key Discussions: Spotlight on Russia and China
The meeting highlighted two major global concerns: Russia’s irresponsible and destabilising behaviour as evidenced by the military build-up on Ukraine’s borders and in annexed Crimea; and China’s human rights violations and abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet, particularly targeting Uyghurs and other minority groups. The G7 ministers called on China to respect Hong Kong’s autonomy, rights and freedoms as per the Basic Law.
Indo-Pacific Focus and International Rules-Based Order
There was unanimous support for ASEAN’s centrality in the Indo-Pacific region. The ministers reiterated the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific that stands on democratic values, rule of law, transparency, human rights, peaceful conflict-resolution, territorial integrity and fundamental freedoms. They also stressed on an International Rules-based Order, denoting a collective commitment of all countries to conduct activities within mutually agreed rules, including international law, security arrangements, trade agreements, immigration protocols, and cultural arrangements.
About the G7: An Overview
Established in 1975, the G7 is an intergovernmental organization that meets annually to deliberate on common concerns such as global economic governance, international security and energy policy. Despite lacking a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters, its annual non-binding decisions carry global significance. These decisions are backed by extensive groundwork carried out by “sherpas” (personal representatives or diplomatic staff). Leaders from major international organizations like the European Union, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the United Nations routinely attend these meetings.
Revisiting the Composition: Debates for Expansion
While the G7 consists of advanced economies, not all of its members are currently the most advanced. India, an economic and military powerhouse, is not part of the G7, stirring calls for expansion akin to those for the United Nations Security Council.
India’s Interaction with the G7: Significance and Impact
India’s invitation to the 45th G7 Summit in Biarritz, France, in August 2019 reflected its growing strategic partnership and recognition as a significant economic force. Invitations extended for the 2020 summit (which couldn’t take place due to the pandemic) and the impending 2021 summit reemphasize its status. India’s interaction with the G7 fosters relations with developed countries while also bolstering its security cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. As the current president of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) alliance and the forthcoming G20 president in 2023, India stands poised to steer multilateral cooperation.