Jun 18, 2025
8
mins read
The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal forum of advanced democracies – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States (plus the EU) – that meets annually to coordinate on global economic policy, security, climate and technology issues. The 2025 G7 Summit was hosted by Canada in the Rocky Mountains resort of Kananaskis, Alberta from June 15–17, 2025. Canada’s G7 priorities were “Protecting our communities and the world, Building energy security and accelerating the digital transition, and Securing the partnerships of the future”.

The summit’s participants included leaders of the G7 countries –
Canada (PM Mark Carney)
France (President Emmanuel Macron)
Germany (Chancellor Friedrich Merz)
Italy (PM Giorgia Meloni)
Japan (PM Shigeru Ishiba)
UK (PM Keir Starmer)
US (President Donald Trump)
EU leaders (Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Antonio Costa).
In addition, leaders from following countries were invited as outreach guests:India
Australia
Brazil
Mexico
South Africa
South Korea
Ukraine
The G7 Working sessions covered trade/economy, critical minerals, AI and digital, security (wildfires, smuggling, terrorism), and energy security.
G7 Summit and West Asia: Israel–Iran Conflict 2025
The G7 Summit opened amid a sudden escalation between Iran and Israel.
Leaders issued a joint statement supporting Israel’s right to self-defence.
Iran was labelled the “principal source of regional instability.”
The G7 Summit also urged de-escalation, including a ceasefire in Gaza.UPSC relevance: Middle East geopolitics, energy security, and India's balancing act in foreign policy.
G7 Summit and Trade Realignments: US–UK Trade Pact
A major highlight of the G7 Summit was the post-Brexit US–UK trade agreement.
Tariffs on British cars and aerospace goods were significantly reduced.
The pact opens access to sectors like beef and ethanol.
Steel tariff disputes remain unresolved.
G7 Summit and Global Tech Governance
As G7 Chair, Canada pushed an agenda focused on AI, digital transition, and cybersecurity.
The G7 Summit reaffirmed commitments to international AI ethics (e.g. Hiroshima Code of Conduct, OECD framework).
India advocated for “responsible AI” and stressed watermarking deepfakes.
PM Modi also highlighted UPI and Aadhaar as models for Digital Public Infrastructure.
The G7 Summit 2025 spotlighted rapid AI advances and regulatory shortfalls amid fierce US–China competition.
There's growing concern that innovation is outpacing regulation, creating risks in high-impact AI systems.
G7 Track Record (2023–2025)
2023 (Japan): Adopted the voluntary Hiroshima AI Code of Conduct.
2024 (Italy): Introduced an AI Reporting Framework for developer accountability.
2025 (Canada): Elevated AI to top priority, establishing a new Ministry of AI & Digital Innovation
UPSC relevance: Tech policy, cyber governance, India’s digital diplomacy.
G7 Summit and the Russia–Ukraine War
Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy attended the G7 Summit, securing new aid from Canada (C$2 billion).
Due to US opposition, the summit ended without a unified Ukraine statement.
A Chair’s Summary urged an “unconditional ceasefire” and supported peace efforts.
UPSC relevance: Role of G7 in conflict resolution, global security architecture, implications for Indian diplomacy.
G7 Summit on Energy Security and Climate Change
The G7 Summit emphasized clean energy, supply-chain resilience, and renewable transitions.
Canada raised concerns about wildfire-related health/security threats.
India reiterated its early fulfilment of Paris Agreement goals and promoted the ISA (International Solar Alliance).
Leaders discussed climate finance and disaster resilience.
UPSC relevance: Energy transition, climate diplomacy, and green finance mechanisms.
Table of content
India’s PM Narendra Modi made his sixth appearance at the G7 summit, reinforcing India’s position as a key strategic partner in global affairs. During the summit, PM Modi participated in plenary sessions on AI governance, sustainable development, and regional security, presenting India’s vision for a fairer global order and equitable energy access.
Called for inclusive technology and fair AI regulations.
India urged the leaders of the G7 to galvanise global action against terrorism.
Advocated Global South causes such as development financing and debt relief.
Promoted India’s model of energy equity and digital governance.
Shared India’s success in Digital Public Infrastructure, emphasizing UPI and Aadhaar as scalable global solutions.
Stressed the importance of democratic values, peace-building, and multilateralism.
Background
The Russia–Ukraine war has been central to G7 agendas since 2022, with the return of Trump injecting uncertainty into unified action.
G7 Summit 2025: Key Developments
President Zelenskiy attended Day 1 and met with PM Carney, securing C$2 billion in Canadian military aid
U.S. resistance led to no joint G7 communique on Ukraine; instead Canada issued a Chair’s Summary urging an “unconditional ceasefire”
Diplomatic Takeaways
The summit revealed fragmentation: Trump opposed strong language on Russia, while Europe pushed for vigorous sanctions
Analysts observed that U.S. inconsistency weakened collective G7 pressure.
India’s Stance
India maintained strategic neutrality—abstaining in UN votes—while offering humanitarian aid and balancing relations with both Russia and the West.
Growing G7 divisions may ease global expectations and pressure on India regarding its Russia policy.
Q: Why was there no final G7 communique?
A: Disagreement-primarily from the US—on issues like Ukraine sanctions prevented a joint communique. Instead, the G7 issued a Chair’s Summary
Q: What was Canada’s wildfire charter?
A: An initiative to enhance interoperability among G7 nations in disaster response, influenced by Alberta’s active wildfire season
Q: How has India leveraged UPI/Aadhaar internationally?
A: India showcased its digital-public infrastructure as global models, advocating for responsible AI aligned with its G20 tech roadmap .
Q: What is the significance of the US–UK trade deal?
A: It reduces auto and aerospace tariffs, catalyses broader market access post-Brexit, and signals changing trade alliances in Western economies.
The G7 Summit 2025 highlighted Canada’s vision of energy security, tech transition, and strategic partnerships. It unfolded amid geopolitically charged events: escalating Iran‑Israel hostilities, transatlantic trade shifts, an uneasy G7 posture on Ukraine, AI governance strides, and climate-energy action.
For UPSC aspirants, the summit offers rich insights into global governance, trade diplomacy, tech regulations, energy security, and India’s rising global engagement—spanning GS-II (IR, diplomacy) and GS-III (economy, S&T, environment).
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