Why the West has high hopes for India

ONE of the standout features of the Hiroshima G7 was the serenading by Western nations of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite his refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

India has become a staple at G7 events, having first attended in 2003 when France held the chair. However, it is since the pandemic began that New Delhi has become especially feted by Western powers, coinciding with the chill in relations with Beijing. So much so, in fact, there has even been some recent speculation of a “G8”, including India.

The reasons why the G7 are so interested in engaging India is not only geopolitics, given that New Delhi is potentially a key counterweight to Beijing. On the political front too, India’s status as a key member of the “Global South” provides legitimacy for what is otherwise a club of only Western industrialised nations.