G7 summit: Absence of consensus and statesmanship on critical issues (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2: International Relations
Prelims level: G7 summit
Mains level: Highlights of the critical issues discussed there

Context

• Overt anxiety about a repeat of the last year’s fiasco in the ongoing Group of Seven summit at Biarritz, France, gave way to some quivering optimism with US President Donald Trump’s latest pivot on his shrill trade war with China.
• Three days after describing him as an “enemy”, the US President asserted that the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping is a “great leader” and that he hopes to “make a deal” towards ending a crisis that has plagued world financial markets and escalated global fears of recession.

G7 summit highlights

• The G7 has turned into a collection of bilateral talks mostly tailored to suit the US President’s priorities.
• Trump struck a deal with Japan to sell excess US corn as a result of the standoff between Washington and Beijing and refused to attend the session on climate, oceans and biodiversity where the other members agreed on a $20 million aid package to help Brazil and its neighbours fight the fires raging in the Amazon rain forest.
• Trump also refused to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif who arrived in Biarritz on Sunday reportedly as part of a French move to calm things down between the US and Iran.
• From the Indian perspective, a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President would be beneficial only if it helps facilitate and expedite the trade talks between the two countries.
• President Trump’s insistence on mediating in Kashmir overshadowed the proceedings.
• The US President has twice offered his assistance on Kashmir.
• The PM seemed to have staved off these overtures by underlining that India and Pakistan can solve their issues bilaterally. What remains to be seen is whether the camaraderie displayed in Modi’s meeting with Trump would translate into the US desisting from its drive to prevent India, along with China, from availing Special and Differential Treatment (SandDT) in the WTO as developing countries.
• While some in the developing world may celebrate the diminished influence of a once mighty Western consensus.

Conclusion

• It would be dangerous if global affairs continue to be guided by the whims of a volatile leader, while Russia and China chart their individual course.
• The absence of statesmanship is being felt even more keenly amidst deepening trade and economic crisis, and stark manifestations of climate change and inequality.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) Consider the following statements regarding North Eastern Council (NEC):
1. North Eastern Council was established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971.
2. Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) is the ex-officio chairman of the North Eastern Council.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: A
Mains Questions:
Q.1) The G7 has turned into a collection of bilateral talks mostly tailored to suit the US President’s priorities. Comment