In his G7 address, Modi voiced Global South concerns and reaffirmed India’s green energy commitment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, marks more than just India’s growing global stature — it signals a strategic reset in India’s global diplomacy. From rallying support against terrorism to amplifying the voice of the Global South and pushing for clean energy solutions, Modi’s multi-pronged engagement could reshape how India is perceived and positioned in a rapidly shifting world order. PM Modi’s address at the Outreach Session on Energy Security came at a politically charged moment — weeks after India launched Operation. His unequivocal message at the G7 — “If any country supports terrorism, it will have to pay the price for it†— though not naming Pakistan, left little ambiguity. By invoking terrorism on such a prestigious global stage, Modi not only demanded accountability but subtly shifted the global narrative — linking security with sustainability, and geopolitics with moral clarity.
For India, it was also a declaration that counter-terrorism is no longer just a regional issue — it’s a matter of global peace and prosperity. Modi’s G7 speech was also notable for something else: his strong advocacy for the Global South. In a world increasingly defined by energy insecurity, food shocks, and AI disruptions, he pointed out that the nations of the Global South are often the first to suffer, yet the last to be heard. By doing so, Modi positioned India not just as a bridge between the developed and developing worlds, but as a spokesperson for those left behind in the global system. It’s a strategic pivot — where India seeks not just a seat at the high table, but a leadership role in reshaping it. Referencing the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuels Alliance, he underscored India’s commitment to climate justice and sustainability — offering solutions that are scalable, green, and global.
This wasn’t mere green talk — it was soft power diplomacy with hard numbers. India, after all, is among the few large economies meeting its Paris Agreement targets ahead of time. Modi’s pitch was clear: India is ready to lead by example, not just aspiration. On the sidelines of the summit, Modi met nine global leaders in just ten hours — including French President Emmanuel Macron, UK PM Keir Starmer, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. These meetings weren’t ceremonial — they revolved around deepening trade, innovation, and strategic partnerships. In particular, Modi’s meeting with Canadian counterpart Mark Carney — amid the backdrop of strained ties—suggests a willingness to turn a page through quiet diplomacy. PM Modi’s G7 engagement matters because it crystallises three big shifts: India’s global assertiveness, leadership of the Global South and reinvention as a green power. In many ways, this G7 visit wasn’t just about multilateral optics — it was about strategic signalling. Modi’s firm stance on terrorism, his climate pitch, and his elevation of the Global South were all threads of a larger narrative: that India is no longer a balancing power — it is now a shaping power.
