Introduction
In an ever-changing global landscape, India's position on the world stage continues to evolve. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent participation in the G7 summit offers a window into India's current geopolitical stance, its domestic political dynamics, and its vision for the future.
Modi’s reduced electoral mandate obviously has domestic political implications but is not very material in the context of participation in international meetings like the G7. Image: REUTERS
The G7 in Context
The Group of Seven (G7) represents a club of Western nations, including Japan, that have historically dominated global institutions and seek to maintain their influential position through policy coordination. In recent years, the G7 has recognized the need to engage with rising powers like India, given the ongoing shifts in global economic and political power dynamics.
The 2008 financial crisis marked a turning point, as the G7 acknowledged its limitations in managing global crises independently. This realization led to the elevation of the G20 forum to the summit level, broadening the scope of international partnership while maintaining Western leadership.
G20: A Changing Landscape
The G20's agenda has been gradually shifting towards the interests and priorities of developing countries, now often referred to as the Global South. India's recent G20 presidency played a significant role in this evolution. India organized Voice of the Global South summits before and after its G20 presidency, amplifying developing nations' concerns. Additionally, at India's initiative, the African Union was granted permanent G20 membership, further consolidating the forum's pro-Global South orientation.
However, the G20's functioning faces increasing challenges due to strained G7-Russia relations, China's growing influence and assertiveness, and deepening global geopolitical divisions. Finding common ground between the G7 and nations like Russia and China within the G20 framework has become increasingly difficult. Other G20 members, with significant stakes in both "camps," are reluctant to take sides due to national interests and geopolitical strategies.
PM Narendra Modi is likely to propose the name of the new Lok Sabha speaker. PTI
The Role of the Global South
Importantly, it is the Global South members of the G20, unaffiliated with either of the main antagonists, who can help preserve the forum's geopolitical relevance and utility. Their position allows them to act as potential bridge-builders and mediators in an increasingly polarized global landscape.
Challenges to G7 and G20: The Rise of BRICS
Both the G7 and G20 face competition from alternative platforms for global consensus-building. The BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) is expanding its membership and influence, positioning itself as a counterweight to Western hegemony. BRICS aims to resist Western-imposed sanctions and financial weaponization, challenge regime change policies and perceived double standards on democracy and human rights, promote multipolarity and a greater role for developing countries in global governance, and advocate for reforms in the international system.
PM Modi's G7 Participation
Prime Minister Modi's attendance at the G7 summit carried significant weight, particularly in light of recent domestic political developments. Despite the BJP's failure to secure an outright majority in the recent national elections, Modi Ji's participation served several crucial purposes. It allowed him to affirm his mandate by showcasing his democratic legitimacy on the international stage, emphasizing the scale and transparency of India's electoral process. His presence exuded self-assurance and continuity in India's governance and foreign policy. The summit also provided a platform to articulate key focus areas for his government and engage with leaders of principal Western countries and Japan, given India's multifaceted interests in these nations.
While Modi's reduced electoral mandate has domestic political implications, it does not significantly impact his participation in international forums like the G7. In fact, compared to many G7 leaders facing their own political challenges, PM Modi's position appears relatively stable. He has secured a rare third term in a democracy, with five more years in power. Modi Ji highlighted the massive scale of India's democratic exercise, involving 970 million voters, of which 640 million cast their votes.
Key Themes of Modi Ji's G7 Engagement
During his G7 participation, PM Modi focused on several key themes. He emphasized democracy and transparency, highlighting the scale and fairness of India's electoral process, the use of technology in ensuring transparency, and referring to India as the "mother of democracy." On technological transformation, the Prime Minister called for equitable distribution of technological benefits, highlighted India's National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, and emphasized India's role in the Global Partnership for AI.
PM Modi also showcased India's environmental leadership, noting the country's early fulfillment of COP commitments and introducing the "Mission LiFE" (Lifestyle For Environment) initiative, including the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" (One Tree in Mother's Name) campaign. He reiterated his vision for India's development, emphasizing the goal of building a developed India by 2047 with inclusive growth leaving no section of society behind.
Importantly, Modi Ji continued his advocacy for the Global South, acknowledging the impact of global uncertainties on developing nations, reaffirming India's commitment to representing Global South priorities, and highlighting increased focus on African issues.
Balancing Act: India's Position Between G7 and Global South
While India values its growing relationships with G7 countries, it must navigate the complexities of this engagement. The G7's NATO-centric nature and promotion of Cold War-style geopolitics pose challenges for India's non-aligned stance. The group's effectiveness in promoting major reforms to the international system or genuine multipolarity is questionable. Some G7 countries have been critical of India's democratic record and human rights issues. Additionally, India's involvement in BRICS and its advocacy for the Global South require a delicate balancing act with G7 engagement.
India's Unique Democratic Credentials
PM Modi used the G7 platform to address indirectly the criticism in G7 countries about the alleged backsliding of democracy in India under his leadership. He highlighted the enormous scale of the democratic exercise that returned him to power, citing statistics such as more than 2,600 political parties, over one million polling booths, more than five million Electronic Voting Machines, 15 million polling staff, and about 970 million voters. PM Modi emphasized the fairness and transparency of the electoral process, enabled by the ubiquitous use of technology, and the rapid declaration of results. He called it "the biggest festival of democracy in the world and the biggest in the history of humanity" and "a living example of our ancient values as the mother of democracy."
Refuting any impression of electoral setback, Modi Ji stated that he was "fortunate that the people of India have given me the opportunity to serve them for the third consecutive time," noting that "this has happened for the first time in India in the last six decades" and that "this historic victory is a victory of democracy. It is a victory of the entire democratic world."
Vision for India and the Global South
PM Modi reiterated India's resolve to build a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing an inclusive approach that leaves no section of society behind. Reflecting on India's recent G20 presidency, he stated, "We considered it our responsibility to place the priorities and concerns of the countries of the Global South on the world stage." Modi Ji highlighted the increased focus on African issues, as reflected in the G7 summit document, and expressed his commitment to ongoing dialogue with G7 nations on these matters.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Modi's participation in the G7 summit underscores India's growing importance in global affairs and its complex position between established Western powers and the emerging Global South. By confidently engaging with world leaders and reaffirming India's commitments, Modi demonstrated that he remains firmly at the helm of India's domestic and foreign policy. As India continues to navigate the evolving landscape of global governance, it must balance its relationships with the G7, its role within the G20, and its advocacy for developing nations. The country's ability to bridge divides and promote inclusive development will be crucial in shaping a more equitable and multipolar world order. Modi's presence and statements at the summit effectively communicated that India's plans and global ambitions continue unabated, with Modi steadfastly leading the charge towards a developed India by 2047 while championing the cause of the Global South on the world stage.
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