Recently, the United States has proposed a delay in the 46th G7 Summit, which was initially set to occur in June 2020 at Camp David. Additionally, there have been suggestions by the President to enlarge the group, potentially referred to as “G10 or G11”.
About the G7
The G7, or ‘Group of Seven’, is made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This intergovernmental organisation was founded in 1975 as an informal medium to discuss critical global issues. Initially, the focus was primarily economic, but it has expanded over time to matters like the oil crashes of the 1970s, terrorism, arms control and drug trafficking. The organisation doesn’t have a formal constitution or permanent headquarters, with decisions at annual summits being non-binding.
The Role of the Host Country
The host country holds not only the G7 presidency but also shapes the agenda for the year, alongside inviting external dignitaries to attend the Summit. The groundwork for the Summit, including subjects to be discussed and follow-up meetings, is done by staff known as sherpas. Sherpas are typically personal representatives or members of diplomatic personnel, such as ambassadors.
G7 Expansion Proposal
There has been a suggestion to include India, Australia, South Korea, and Russia in the G7, transforming the grouping of the most significant advanced economies. The current G7 has been criticised as outdated, as it doesn’t incorporate the emerging economies and so it’s believed that it isn’t representative of the modern world order. There is ongoing uncertainty as to whether this proposed expansion will be a permanent or short-term change.
Controversy Surrounding Russia’s Re-Admission
The suggestion to re-admit Russia has stirred debate among existing G7 members, due to Russia’s close ties with China. When Russia joined the original seven in 1997, the group was referred to as ‘G8’, but it returned to being called G7 after Russia’s expulsion in 2014, following the annexation of Crimea, Ukraine.
India’s Involvement in the G7 Summit
India participated in the G7 summit of 2019 in France as a special guest of the French President. India has been invited to the G8 five times in the past by various hosts of the G8 Summit.
Tensions against China
Despite being the world’s most populous country and having the second-largest economy, China is not a member of G7. The country has comparatively low wealth per capita, thus is not classed as an advanced economy like the rest of the G7 members. The proposed expansion is thought to be part of a strategy to unite traditional allies against China’s assertive diplomacy.
G7 vs G20 Members
The G20 is a larger group that also includes G7 countries. Besides the G7, the G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, and Turkey. Approximately 80% of the global economy is made up of G20 countries, while the G7’s share has dropped to around 40%. Unlike the G7, the G20 discusses a broader range of issues, including those concerning the global economy and financial markets.
The Future of G7
The emergence of economies like India, China, and Brazil over the past decades has decreased the relevance of the G7. Therefore, the inclusion of rising economies like India and South Korea may help to create a level playing field for each country at a global level. The potential expansion could also assist the G7 in representing global dynamics more accurately.
