India holds the cards at the G7 summit

The 2026 G7 summit in Evian, France, opens with a clear message: the group needs India more than India needs the G7. India is attending as a guest nation for the 13th time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will represent the country for the seventh time since 2019. These repeated invitations show a central reality: India is too important to ignore, even though it is not a member of the world’s most exclusive club. The G7—made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States—faces major global challenges. From climate change to supply chain security, these issues require cooperation with large, fast-growing economies. India, with its population of over 1.4 billion and a rapidly expanding economy, is a key player. India, however, does not depend on the G7 for its growth. It has built strong ties with other major powers, including Russia and China. It also leads the Global South, representing developing nations in forums like the G20. For the G7, having India at the table adds legitimacy and reach. For India, the summit is one of many diplomatic platforms. The balance of power has shifted: the G7 now courts India as much as India seeks the G7.