In an eventful week for international diplomacy, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar took center stage at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Canada, engaging in a whirlwind of high-level discussions that underscored India’s growing influence on the global stage. The gathering, held from November 11 to 13 in Niagara under Canada’s presidency, brought together foreign ministers from the world’s leading economies and key outreach partners, with India’s participation reflecting both its strategic ambitions and its commitment to amplifying the voice of the Global South.
Jaishankar’s agenda was as packed as it was consequential. On November 12, he met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a meeting that quickly drew attention from diplomats and commentators alike. According to IANS, the two leaders discussed a host of pressing issues: from trade and supply chain resilience to the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. The timing was significant—just a day after a deadly blast in Delhi, for which Rubio offered condolences, a gesture Jaishankar publicly appreciated. In his own words, posted on X, Jaishankar said, “Good to meet @SecRubio this morning at #G7 FMM. Appreciate his condolences on the loss of lives in the blast in Delhi. Discussed our bilateral ties, focusing on trade and supply chains. Exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East/West Asia situation and Indo-Pacific.”
The India-U.S. relationship, always a subject of global scrutiny, appeared to be on an upswing. President Donald Trump, speaking at the swearing-in of Sergio Gor as U.S. ambassador to India, declared, “We are making a deal with India, a much different deal than we had in the past… We’re getting close to doing a deal that’s good for everybody.” He described India as “one of America’s most important partners” and noted, “We have a fantastic relationship with Prime Minister Modi.” These remarks, reported by IANS, signal the near completion of a new trade agreement—one that could reshape economic ties between the world’s largest democracies.
The G7 meeting itself was more than a backdrop. India’s presence as an invited partner—alongside Brazil, Australia, and South Korea—was a nod to its rising stature. The two-day event focused on global security, economic resilience, energy cooperation, and, crucially, partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar’s participation underscored New Delhi’s “continued commitment to working with international partners in addressing global challenges and bolstering the voice of the Global South in international fora.”
Maritime security emerged as a defining theme. During a special session dedicated to the topic, Jaishankar highlighted India’s emergence as a “first-responder in the maritime domain” and detailed efforts to deepen Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) partnerships in the Indo-Pacific through joint exercises and logistics agreements. He emphasized New Delhi’s “MAHASAGAR outlook,” port-led development, and the imperative of “trusted and diversified maritime links.” In a post on X, he outlined India’s recommendations: upgrading shipping infrastructure, developing resilient corridors, and improving coordination to protect critical maritime and undersea infrastructure. “Maritime threats and economic crimes, including piracy, smuggling and IUU fishing, merit deeper international collaboration,” Jaishankar stressed, adding that “UNCLOS must be upheld.”
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio echoed these sentiments, posting a photograph from the maritime session and writing, “From the Gulf of America to the Pacific, safe and open waterways are the backbone of the American economy, carrying U.S. products to markets around the world. We engaged in important discussions with @G7 partners today on more coordination in support of U.S. efforts to increase maritime security.”
Jaishankar’s diplomatic marathon didn’t end with the United States. Over the course of the week, he held bilateral talks with counterparts from Canada, Mexico, France, Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Each meeting had its own distinct flavor, but the common thread was clear: a focus on expanding cooperation across trade, health, science and technology, energy, and food security. With Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente, Jaishankar discussed advancing collaboration in business, pharmaceuticals, and technology. His discussions with Premier Scott Moe of Saskatchewan centered on energy and fertilizer—key sectors for both countries.
One particularly notable meeting was with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Amid ongoing efforts to normalize relations after a period of political tensions, the two ministers reviewed the Canada–India Joint Roadmap, a framework aimed at deepening cooperation in energy, trade, and people-to-people engagement. Jaishankar congratulated Anand on hosting the G7 and, in his words, “appreciated the progress in implementation of the New Roadmap 2025.” This roadmap, as emphasized by both sides, is built on mutual respect for democratic values, the rule of law, and a commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The diplomatic momentum carried over to economic engagement as well. Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu was scheduled to visit India from November 12 to 14, aiming to enhance trade and investment ties. Sidhu’s agenda included meetings in New Delhi and participation in the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam. “This visit to India will reinforce Canada’s commitment to diversifying our trade relationships and attracting new investment,” Sidhu said, highlighting the potential for collaboration in artificial intelligence, clean technology, and digital industries. Two-way trade between India and Canada reached $30.9 billion in 2024, and both sides anticipate further growth, especially in energy, agriculture, and technology.
India’s participation in the G7 was not just about bilateral ties. It was about signaling a broader commitment to global cooperation, especially in addressing challenges that transcend borders. The G7 gathering brought together not only the core members—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union—but also outreach nations including Australia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine. For India, it was an opportunity to reinforce its strategic interests, build new partnerships, and, as the Ministry of External Affairs put it, “bolster the voice of the Global South in international fora.”
As the meetings wrapped up, the sense was clear: India’s diplomatic engagement at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting marked a turning point in its global outreach. From deepening partnerships with the United States and Canada to championing maritime security and economic resilience, New Delhi’s efforts reflected both ambition and pragmatism. For observers watching the shifting tides of international relations, the message was unmistakable—India is not just participating in the global conversation; it is helping to shape it.
