The G-7 must review its own purpose in a rapidly changing world

• The G-7 must review its own purpose in a rapidly changing world
• Welcoming leaders of 10 countries including Indian Prime Minister to the “G-7 Outreach” Summit, Italy’s Prime Minister said it was important to step away from the old trope of the “West vs the Rest”.

Increasing Reach

• Italy’s decision to invite mainly the Global South countries including BRICS notables such as Brazil, India, and the UAE, to hold an outreach with seven African countries on energy issues.
• The G-7 was once hailed as a dynamic group of the world’s most developed democracies where heads of state would roll up their sleeves once a year to effect real solutions to global financial and development issues.
• However, with manufacturing slowdowns, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and western sanctions, the grouping has appeared more tired, and its meetings less effective.

Continued Troubles:

• Most salient was the G-7’s continued “military, budget, humanitarian, and reconstruction support” for Ukraine, but with no constructive plan on how to end the war.
• A Gaza ceasefire appeal has also not been accepted by Israel.
• The G-7’s focus on China in the Indo-Pacific and on “industrial targeting” and unfair practices was particularly sharp, but it remains to be seen whether any member-country will reduce its own considerable trade ties with Beijing.
• It recommitted to about eight infrastructure corridors, including the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, reinforced the lack of focus on executing (as distinct from discussing) projects.
• Given the G-7’s current situation, India, in attendance for the eleventh time, could well take stock of the engagement’s utility.
• The importance of harnessing technology and artificial intelligence to bridge global inequalities, and on the value of the Global South, especially Africa.
• It would seem most of those issues would be better addressed in a larger and more representational format such as the G-20.
• But the G-7 may wish to review its own identity and purpose amidst a rapidly changing global power dynamic.