India Ready to Act As Global South’s Voice At G7, Says Jaishankar; Calls For Dialogue, Stable China Ties

Ahead of the upcoming G7 summit in Canada, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India is prepared to act as a “bridge” between global powers and the Global South, reflecting the country’s growing diplomatic role, India Today reported.

Though not a G7 member, India has been a regular invitee to the summit since 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the meet alongside leaders from Ukraine, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Paris, Jaishankar said the Global South seeks reform of an 'inequitable international order' and stressed that India’s ability to work across divides is vital to diplomacy. “It’s a help we do to international diplomacy at a time when mostly what you see are difficult relationships and excessive tensions,” he said.

He reiterated India’s support for direct Russia-Ukraine talks and criticised Western sanctions, calling them ineffective. He warned against additional global strain: “The world does not need more tension, more conflict, more hostility, more stresses.”

On US-India ties, Jaishankar acknowledged that former President Donald Trump brings “discontinuity” and a strongly nationalist stance. Modi is expected to meet Trump at the summit to discuss trade, with US tariffs on Indian goods set to resume from 9 July.

On China, Jaishankar emphasised the need for firmness where required, but also openness to a “stable relationship”. He added that despite tensions, India and China remain key rising powers.

Jaishankar dismissed nuclear escalation fears after the April conflict with Pakistan as “uninformed”.

Also Read : PM Modi Begins Strategic Three-Nation Tour Covering Cyprus, Canada, Croatia; G7 Talks, Terror Fight And Trade Ties On Agenda