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Japan Forward
24-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
India Joins G7 Summit Outreach as Economy and Ambitions Grow
Recently, the Group of Seven Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada afforded the leaders of the G7 countries an opportunity to seek common ground on a host of challenges facing these countries and the world as a whole. In some ways, the summit was overshadowed by the early departure of United States President Donald Trump. However, it afforded the other world leaders an opportunity to discuss threadbare the important issues plaguing the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also invited to the Summit for the G7 Outreach Session. This invitation clearly underscored the reset in India's ties with the host nation, Canada. Diplomacy between the two countries had been in a free-fall during the term of Canada's previous prime minister, Justin Trudeau. Their ties had almost broken down in light of claims from the Canadian side about Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. His death occurred in British Columbia, Canada, in 2023. Meanwhile, the Indian side has expressed strong reservations about Canada harboring anti-India elements on its soil. Since 2019, India's prime minister has been invited to every G7 summit. Those invitations were in keeping with India's growing stature on the international stage. India is now officially the fourth biggest economy in the world, after the US, China, and Germany. At the same time, it has remained one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world. In fact, India has close ties with most of the G7 countries, including Japan. India is also the most populous country in the world. As such, it represents a huge market for businesses in the developed nations. This opportunity is something that the developed countries cannot ignore. G7 leaders (left) listen to outreach countries as PM Modi speaks. (©G7 Canada media files) During his address at the G7 Summit, PM Modi outlined some of the major issues facing the countries of the Global South. This particular visit also afforded him an opportunity to discuss pertinent global issues with his counterparts from the G7 countries and other world leaders invited to the outreach sessions. However, the most important takeaway from the Kananaskis G7 Summit was the meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney. The two leaders agreed to reboot the ties between their countries. They also agreed on the return of high commissioners to each other's capital cities and the resumption of bilateral negotiations, which had been stalled. As well, they agreed to resume talks on a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Prime Minister Modi met on the sidelines. In a tweet, the Indian PM noted the "insightful deliberations with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during the G7 Summit in Canada." He also stated that "India and Japan remain committed to further deepening bilateral ties across various sectors." PM Modi met his G7 outreach partner counterparts as well. In 2025, those included the leaders of South Korea, Australia, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, and Germany. India's stance on terrorism was a key point emphasized in PM Modi's address. He illustrated his point, saying: "There must be no place for double standards when it comes to terrorism. Recently, India faced a brutal and cowardly terrorist attack. The terrorist attack that took place on April 22 was not just an assault on Pahalgam, but a direct attack on the soul, identity, and dignity of every Indian. It was an assault on all humanity." Prime Minister Modi meets the President of Mexico on the side of the G7 summit. (©Prime Minister's Office) While overall the meeting offered important opportunities. However, with President Trump's early return to Washington, PM Modi missed a chance for a face-to-face meeting with the US President. At the same time, it should be noted that ties between the two countries have moved in a different direction since Modi visited the US early in 2025. India has not been too happy with the American stance during the recent India-Pakistan clashes and afterwards. PM Ishiba's visit to the G7 Summit also afforded him his first in-person talks with the new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. They reported that the two leaders agreed to promote the "stable development" of ties. This is an early and positive signal of how the ties might develop under a new dispensation in Seoul. During the run-up to the elections in South Korea, it was believed that the new President could reverse some of the decisions of his predecessor. However, early signs suggest that it may not be the case. That is good news for the Japanese economy. Both are reeling from tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Already, 24% tariffs have been slapped on Japan, although they are currently paused, despite Tokyo being one of America's closest allies. Notably, the G7 Summit communiqué did not call for a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. This, in itself, shows that when it comes to pressing global issues, the G7 countries are themselves divided. At the same time, the G7 remains the most powerful body in the world. It still has the power to come up with solutions to the problems that plague the world as a whole. In the future, India would like to become an even more important part of the G7 outreach partners. This seems natural, given India's growing economic prowess and military heft, and its huge young population. After all, as they say, demography is destiny. Author: Dr Rupakjyoti Borah Dr Rupakjyoti Borah is a Senior Research Fellow with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies. The views expressed here are personal. Keywords/tags:
National Observer
16-06-2025
- Business
- National Observer
Mark Carney meets Donald Trump who says trade deal possible at G7 summit in Alberta
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he thinks a trade deal with Canada is achievable — even if he and Prime Minister Mark Carney have "different concepts" of what that deal might look like. "I think our primary focus will be trade, and trade with Canada, and I'm sure we can work something out," Trump said as he sat down for a meeting with Carney at the G7 leaders summit in Kananaskis, Alta. The pair met privately after weeks of exchanging phone calls and text messages in an ongoing attempt to resolve the economic conflict triggered by Trump's tariffs. Addressing media alongside Carney, Trump expressed his fondness for tariffs. "I'm a tariff person. I've always been a tariff (person). It's simple, it's easy, it's precise and it just goes very quickly, and I think Mark has a more complex idea, but also very good," Trump said. In brief remarks, Carney welcomed Trump to the G7 and wished him a happy birthday. The president turned 79 on Saturday. "This marks the 50th birthday of the G7," Carney said. "And the G7 is nothing without U.S. leadership." Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in Alberta. #G7Kananaskis2025 #G7Canada Following their one-on-one meeting, Trump and Carney sat down with a wider group that included Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. In an afternoon press conference, LeBlanc and Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., said talks with their American counterparts have accelerated in recent weeks. LeBlanc said both countries have agreed to keep the details of those talks private and to reconvene before the end of the week. "The important thing is that we collectively think we're making progress in coming to a deal that would be in the economic interest of both countries, but we're not there yet," he said. Hillman said she has a sense that the Americans are "understanding us better" as Canadian officials call for all the tariffs to be removed. "We have a president who is very convinced of the policy that he has around tariffs in order to achieve some of his policy goals," she said. "We are very convinced that applying that policy to Canada is actually detrimental to his overall goals, and we are trying to get there with him and his officials." Hillman and LeBlanc did not answer repeated questions about whether Trump again raised the idea of making Canada a U.S. state during the conversation. Trump spent some of his time in front of reporters Monday morning railing against former prime minister Justin Trudeau and former U.S. president Barack Obama, blaming them both for the decision to eject Russia from what was then known as the G8 in 2014. Trudeau was first elected prime minister in 2015. Stephen Harper was prime minister when Russia was ousted from the G8 after annexing Crimea. "Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn't want to have Russia in, and I would say that that was a mistake, because I think you wouldn't have a war right now if you had Russia in," he said, referring to Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Trump and Trudeau had a notoriously poor relationship. Trump stormed out of the last G7 summit that Canada hosted in 2018, pulled out of a joint leaders' statement and issued a statement of his own calling Trudeau weak and dishonest. On Monday, Trump said he and Carney have "a very good relationship." The war in Ukraine is one of Canada's top priorities as host of this summit. Carney invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend, along with a handful of other world leaders who are not part of the G7. The summit officially began Monday. Following a welcome ceremony, Carney noted that while G7 countries don't always agree, they still face shared threats in an increasingly dangerous world. "Nostalgia isn't a strategy," Carney said in his opening statement to a roundtable of G7 members. "We will have open, frank discussions over the course of the next two days. We might not agree on absolutely every issue, but where we will co-operate, we will make an enormous difference," he said. The leaders then started a working session focused on the global economic outlook.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
G7's 'deep concern' on China's drills around Taiwan
Leaders of the G7 countries have expressed "deep concern" over China's recent large-scale military exercises around Taiwan. Foreign ministers of the G7 - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States - plus the European Union condemned Beijing's "provocative actions". "These increasingly frequent and destabilising activities are raising cross-Strait tensions and put at risk global security and prosperity," they said in a joint statement on Sunday. #G7 Foreign Ministers' statement on China's large-scale military drills around Taiwan. #G7Kananaskis2025 #G7Canada — G7 (@G7) April 6, 2025 G7 members and the international community have an interest in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the statement said. "We oppose any unilateral actions to threaten such peace and stability, including by force or coercion." China rejected the joint statement, calling it a "mischaracterisation of the facts and truth and an interference in China's internal affairs." "China deplores, opposes and absolutely does not accept this," a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Canada said. China's military conducted the drills over two days in early April. The military said the exercise, involving the army, navy, air force and missile unit, included precision strikes on simulated key targets. The Chinese Embassy spokesperson said that the exercises were "severe punishment" against the Taiwan government's "aggressive provocation to seek 'Taiwan independence'," as well as "a stern warning to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces who deliberately undermine peace across the Taiwan Strait." "No external force is in any position to point fingers at this," the spokesperson continued. "We will never ever allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from China in any form. We will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity." In addition to regular military exercises, Chinese fighter jets fly almost daily into Taiwan's air defence zone, usually prompting a response from Taiwan's Air Force. China regards Taiwan as part of the People's Republic and has repeatedly threatened to invade it in the past. It has warned other countries, notably the US, to stop supporting Taiwan, which it regards as interference in China's domestic affairs. Democratic Taiwan, with a population of around 23.4 million, has had an has had an independent government since 1949.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer tells Trump he hopes US-Ukraine talks allow support for Kyiv to resume
Sir Keir Starmer has told Donald Trump he wants US-Ukraine talks to have a 'positive outcome' that will result in the resumption of military aid and intelligence-sharing. The US President paused the supply of weapons and crucial intelligence for Kyiv's war effort following his public spat with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. The Prime Minister, who spoke to Mr Trump on Monday, said he hoped peace talks in Saudi Arabia would allow the US President to restore support to Ukraine in its war with Russia. A Downing Street spokeswoman said: 'The Prime Minister said that UK officials had been speaking to Ukraine officials over the weekend and they remain committed to a lasting peace. 'The Prime Minister said he hoped there would be a positive outcome to the talks that would enable US aid and intelligence-sharing to be restarted.' The talks between US and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia, starting on Tuesday, form part of an intensive week of international diplomatic activity to find a peace deal to end the war. Sir Keir will lead a call with like-minded allies from the 'coalition of the willing' on Saturday. The call will involve leaders who have expressed an interest in contributing to or supporting a peacekeeping mission to deter Russia's Vladimir Putin from launching a future attempt to conquer Ukraine if a deal to end the conflict is reached. Military chiefs from potential members of the coalition will meet in Paris this week, with French officials indicating around 30 countries – including not only European nations but states in Asia and Oceania – will take part. Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin will attend for the UK before Defence Secretary John Healey meets opposite numbers from France, Germany, Italy and Poland in the French capital on Wednesday. The meeting of defence ministers will also be attended by representatives from Nato and the European Union, with Ukraine's Rustem Umerov dialling in. Foreign ministers from the G7 – including David Lammy and US counterpart Marco Rubio – will meet in Canada from Wednesday to Friday. Canada is hosting a #G7ForeignMinisters meeting from March 12 to 14 in Charlevoix, Quebec. Discussions will focus on Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, the Americas, and Africa. Follow us to stay informed #G7Canada #G7Kananaskis2025 — Canada G7 (@G7Canada) March 7, 2025 The talks involving the US and Ukraine on Tuesday come after Mr Zelensky, Sir Keir and French president Emmanuel Macron agreed to work on peace proposals. Not all the nations involved in the 'coalition of the willing' are expected to commit to join a peacekeeping force, although they could offer logistical help for troops in Ukraine or other forms of support. Sir Keir has stressed the need for Mr Trump's US to provide a 'backstop' security guarantee, a commitment to intervene if a European-led peacekeeping mission comes under threat. Government insiders have warned of a 'chicken and egg' situation where nations will not promise troops without US guarantees, but Mr Trump will not make commitments unless Europe steps up to defend itself.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer to hold further Ukraine talks during week of intensive diplomacy
Sir Keir Starmer will host a virtual meeting of the 'coalition of the willing' nations on Saturday at the end of a week of intense diplomatic activity to find a peace deal in Ukraine. The Prime Minister will lead the call with around 20 like-minded allies who have expressed an interest in contributing to or supporting a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine if a deal is reached to end the war with Russia. Military chiefs from potential members of the coalition will meet in France this week, while talks between Ukraine and the US are taking place in Saudi Arabia. Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin will join counterparts in Paris on Tuesday before Defence Secretary John Healey meets opposite numbers from France, Germany, Italy and Poland in the French capital on Wednesday. The meeting of defence ministers will also be attended by representatives from Nato and the European Union, with Ukraine's Rustem Umerov dialling in. Foreign ministers from the G7 – including David Lammy and US counterpart Marco Rubio – will meet in Canada from Wednesday to Friday. Canada is hosting a #G7ForeignMinisters meeting from March 12 to 14 in Charlevoix, Quebec. Discussions will focus on Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, the Americas, and Africa. Follow us to stay informed #G7Canada #G7Kananaskis2025 — Canada G7 (@G7Canada) March 7, 2025 The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'There was the meeting last week, there's another meeting tomorrow, there's a defence secretary-level meeting on Wednesday, there will be the leaders' meeting on Saturday. 'Each of these meetings is obviously progressing the planning. I'm not going to get ahead of proposals being made public but obviously these discussions are ongoing, as you can see from these meetings.' The talks involving the US and Ukraine on Tuesday come after Volodymyr Zelensky, Sir Keir and French president Emmanuel Macron agreed to work on peace proposals. Sir Keir is also leading the push for what he called the 'coalition of the willing' – nations prepared to offer troops and guarantees to deter Vladimir Putin's Russia from breaking any peace deal. Not all the nations involved are expected to commit to join a peacekeeping force, they could offer logistical help for troops in Ukraine or other forms of support. But Sir Keir has stressed the need for Donald Trump's US to provide a 'backstop' security guarantee, a commitment to intervene if a European-led peacekeeping mission comes under threat. Government insiders have warned of a 'chicken and egg' situation where European and Commonwealth nations will not promise troops without US guarantees but Mr Trump will not make commitments unless Europe steps up to defend itself. The UK's national security adviser was in Kyiv for talks over the weekend with top officials ahead of the talks between the Ukrainian and American delegations. Jonathan Powell met Andriy Yermak, head of the office of the president in Ukraine. In a post on X, Mr Yermak said that they 'exchanged views on key issues on the path to achieving peace'.
