G7 Summit in Canada: Key Issues for UPSC (Ukraine, NATO, Russia’s Return)

India’s Nuclear Stockpile: A Strategic Shift
Recent reports from global arms monitoring agencies reveal that India now possesses approximately 180 nuclear warheads, surpassing Pakistan’s estimated 170. While the numerical Trump’s

Controversial Russia Stance
• Called Russia’s 2014 expulsion after Crimea annexation a “big mistake,” claiming it triggered the Ukraine invasion.
• European leaders (notably France’s Macron) rejected this, citing Russia’s “illegal war.”
Unity Under Strain
• No Joint Communiqué: Canada avoided a repeat of 2018’s last-minute U.S. withdrawal.
• Focus on Ukraine: Leaders met Zelenskyy and NATO’s Rutte to align strategies before the NATO summit.

G7’s Core Agenda
Discussions spanned:
Economic security amid recessions
Climate change and energy transition
Countering China’s influence
Middle East de-escalation
 

G7: Origins, Evolution & Relevance
What is the G7?
An informal group of advanced economies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US + EU) coordinating global economic and security policies.


Why Russia Was Expelled
• Violated international law by annexing Crimea.
• Suspended to uphold territorial sovereignty norms.
G7’s Global Impact
Represents ~45% of global GDP.
Shapes policies on trade, climate, and security.
Criticism: Exclusion of emerging economies (India, China, Brazil).
 
India’s Connection & Exam Focus
Why Important for UPSC?
Prelims: Current international groupings, map-based G7 locations.
Mains (GS II): Bilateral/global agreements, India’s role in multilateral forums.

Key Data Points
G7 Members: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US (+EU).
Global GDP Share: ~45% (vs. G20’s ~85%).
Map Work: Locate all G7 countries (esp. Japan, Italy, Canada).
India’s Stakes
Though not a member, India engages via:
G20 collaborations
Outreach sessions at G7 summits
Shared interests in climate goals and supply chain resilience
 

Sample Q&As (Exam-Focused)
Q: Which event triggered Russia’s expulsion from G8?
A: Annexation of Crimea (2014).
Q: Name all G7 member countries
A: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US.
Q: What percentage of global GDP does the G7 represent?
A: Approximately 45%.
Q: Why did Trump call Russia’s G8 expulsion a “mistake”?
A: He claimed it led to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Q: Which two leaders strongly opposed Trump’s pro-Russia stance at the 2025 summit?
A: Emmanuel Macron (France) and Mark Carney (Canada).