In a stunning turn of events at the recent G7 summit held in a quaint Canadian town, former U.S. President Donald Trump, despite his abbreviated attendance, ignited a diplomatic firestorm that left Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reeling. After nearly a month of uncertainty surrounding his invitation, Modi finally secured his place at the table, only to witness Trump casually offer China the very prize India has coveted for over a decade: a seat at the G7.
The summit, already fraught with tension due to pressing global issues like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Iran tensions, and ongoing trade disputes, took an unexpected turn when Trump, on the first day, abruptly announced his early departure, citing a heavy workload.
However, before leaving, Trump made a series of provocative statements. He initially revisited his long-held belief that Russia's expulsion from the G8 under the Obama administration was a mistake, arguing that its absence complicated efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While this echoed previous sentiments, it was his subsequent remark that sent shockwaves through the room. In an interview, Trump declared that he would not object to China joining the G7, a statement that visibly discomfited Modi. India, after years of lobbying and strategic maneuvering, saw its aspirations seemingly dismissed with a single sentence.
Modi's journey to the summit was itself a saga. Weeks before the event, as invitations were dispatched to other world leaders, India remained conspicuously absent from the guest list. Indian media outlets speculated that strained relations between India and Canada might have led to its exclusion by Western powers. Only shortly before the summit's commencement did Modi finally receive his invitation.
India's pursuit of G7 membership has been a long-standing ambition, fueled by several factors. It sees itself as the rightful heir to the British colonial legacy and views G7 membership as the ultimate validation of its status as a \"developed nation.\" India even used its support for the African Union's inclusion in the G20 as leverage to gain backing from African nations for its own permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Gaining the endorsement of the U.S. and Europe through G7 membership is seen as a crucial step in overcoming the \"veto power\" held by the five permanent members of the Security Council. Furthermore, India urgently needs advanced Western weaponry to balance its military capabilities against Pakistan. Crucially, India's influence within the BRICS nations has been waning, and it aspires to become the sole representative of the \"Global South,\" countering China's growing influence in the developing world.
Trump's pronouncement served as a stark reminder to Modi: the only rival the United States truly acknowledges is China. Trump's timing was strategic, aiming both to signal a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations and to send a message to European allies, suggesting that the U.S. is prepared to explore alternative partnerships.
This \"China bombshell\" has plunged India into an unprecedented diplomatic predicament. India seeks to leverage the G7 to elevate its status as a \"developed nation\" while simultaneously identifying as a \"developing country\" on issues such as climate compensation and food security. It finds itself reliant on Western military equipment for its defense while also being treated as a pawn by Western powers.
In extending a seemingly offhand invitation to China, Trump not only shattered Modi's aspirations of great power status but also undermined the very foundation of the existing world order. Originally conceived as an alliance of the world's most advanced economies, reflecting global economic dynamics, the G7 has increasingly struggled to maintain its relevance.
With the BRICS nations now surpassing the G7 in terms of global economic share (29%), the writing is on the wall. China is unlikely to be swayed by Trump's invitation, and Modi would be well-advised to recognize the changing realities. India's true opportunities lie elsewhere; as an emerging major power, it possesses a far broader and more promising future.
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