Each year, the world’s most powerful democratic states come together to debate some of the most pressing global issues at the G7 Summit, also formerly known as the Group of Seven Summit. Leaders from democratic powers such as the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom convene in person to debate the economy, international security, climate change, health, and technological advancement.

The G7 Summit is not merely a formal event; it serves as a platform for world leaders to come together and find common ground on urgent global challenges that affect human lives. The G7 plays a crucial role in addressing issues related to war and peace, pandemics, and inflation. It is undoubtedly a vital component of the global response to these significant problems.

WHO ARE THE MEMBERS?

• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Japan
• United Kingdom
• United States
• European Union (non-enumerated member)

These countries represent about 10% of the world’s population but nearly 30% of the global economy by GDP. They share values of democracy, pluralism, and free-market economies.

WHAT TOPICS ARE DISCUSSED?

The topics at the G7 Summit change every year, depending on what’s happening in the world. Some common areas include:

• International peace and security
• Economic growth and inflation
• Climate change and energy use
• Artificial Intelligence and technology
• Health and future pandemic response
• Trade policies and supply chains

The goal is to find solutions that benefit not just G7 countries, but the entire world.

HOW DOES THE G7 WORK?

• The presidency rotates yearly among member countries, which organise the summit and set priorities.
• Leaders meet annually at the summit, while ministers and officials meet regularly throughout the year.
• Other countries and international organisations are sometimes invited as guests to participate in discussions.
• The G7 operates by consensus and does not have binding legal authority, but its influence is significant.

INDIA ‘S GROWING ROLE AT G7 SUMMITS

India, though not a formal member of the G7—a group comprising the world’s seven advanced economies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US)—has been recognised as a powerful and influential global player. India has been consistently invited to the G7 Summits as an outreach partner since 2003, reflecting its growing economic and geopolitical significance.

To date, India has been invited to attend the G7 Summit outreach sessions more than eleven times, including in 2003 (France), 2005 (UK), 2006 (Russia), 2007 (Germany), 2008 (Japan), 2009 (Italy), and more recently every year since 2019, including the 2025 summit in Canada. This frequent inclusion underscores India’s role as the world’s fifth-largest economy and a key voice for the Global South in addressing global challenges such as climate change, energy security, and economic development.

India has attended eleven G7 Summit Outreach sessions since 2003. The specific years and host countries are:

• 2003 (France)

• 2005 (UK)

• 2006 (Russia)

• 2007 (Germany)

• 2008 (Japan)

• 2009 (Italy)

• 2019 (France)

• 2021 (UK)

• 2022 (Germany)

• 2023 (Japan)

• 2024 (Italy)

These invitations reflect India’s growing significance on the global stage, even though it is not a formal G7 member.

HISTORY OF G7 SUMMIT

The G7 originated in the early 1970s, when finance ministers from the US, UK, West Germany, France, and later Japan began meeting informally to address global economic challenges. In 1975, France hosted the first leaders’ summit, forming the Group of Six (G6), which became the G7 with Canada’s addition in 1976.

The European Union joined discussions in 1977, and Russia participated from 1997 to 2014, briefly creating the G8. Today, the G7 remains a key forum for the world’s major industrialised democracies to coordinate on economic and global issues.

WHY THE G7 SUMMIT IS IMPORTANT

The G7 matters because its member countries have enormous economic strength and potential direction for global markets and policies, so decisions and commitments made at G7 summits can have worldwide consequences for international trade, global security, climate change, and humanitarian responses.

The G7 acts as a significant platform for coordinating responses to global challenges, such as economic recessions and conflicts. This allows G7 countries to provide the leadership the world needs. Although the G7 lacks an army, budget, and a structured annual proposal cycle, its gatherings are important because they embody the principles of multilateralism and shared norms.

The G7 identifies norms, elevates them, and celebrates their importance. The G7 endorses respect for democratic and pluralistic values. The G7 facilitates and supports collaboration among the world’s largest economies to respond to global challenges.