G11 Grouping

Why in news?

United States President Donald Trump has proposed for a “G11” Summit.

What is G11?

G11 will be the expansion of the G7 grouping.
[G7 or Group of Seven is an intergovernmental economic organization.
It consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.]
G11 will include G7 countries, India, Australia, South Korea, and Russia.
It is being widely perceived as an “anti-Chinese” platform.

Why was G11 initiated?

Outdated - Mr Trump cancelled the G7 summit, originally scheduled for June at Camp David, on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He has declared this 45-year-old organisation “outdated” because he didn’t feel it “properly represents the world”.
This is a valid assertion, given the realignments of global economic power over the past half-century.
Global realignments - The United Kingdom’s position after Brexit will weaken its already declining global heft.
Italy has slipped behind India in terms of gross domestic product (GDP).
But the exclusion of China, the world’s second-largest economy, has raised questions about Trump’s intentions.

What is the question for India?

The big question for India is whether, if this invitation is issued, should be accepted, given its own current strained relations with China.
On balance, the answer should be yes, both in terms of serving,
1. India’s own geo-strategic interests and
2. Within the dynamics of the immediate and long-term India-China relationship.
China’s exclusion, however, should not stop India’s acceptance.

How will India benefit?

A forum like G11 offering an opportunity for an exchange of views on issues that are important to India can be of considerable value.
In particular, it may offer an occasion to discuss with some of the world’s most important leaders the impact of Covid-19 on the global economy.
It will help lay down the contours of a coordinated response.

How will China view India’s acceptance?

The question of India’s acceptance of any such invitation may be perceived as provoking China at a time when it is making aggressive inroads into Indian Territory.
This move, in turn, is seen as partial retaliation for the Indian government’s closer embrace of a US establishment, which has been increasingly hostile to China.
On the contrary, it is precisely because of these developments that the India should be receptive to G11 invitation.

What should India do?

India would have the virtue of transmitting the message that no other country can dictate India’s foreign policy.
Being seen to be intimidated by China’s military muscle-flexing in Sikkim and Ladakh leaves India open to pressure from China to exclude deeper partnerships with Japan or Australia.
Both Japan and Australia, together with the US, are part of the 13-year-old Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.
In addition, India is involved in groupings that exclude China, such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORA).
So accepting potential G11 membership should not be seen as a precedent-setting move.

Source: Business Standard

Quick Facts

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)

QSD is a closed group consisting of India, Australia, Japan & USA.
It was initiated by Japan in 2007.
It perceives this forum as a coalition of maritime democracies.
Securing a rules-based global order, liberal trading system and freedom of navigation are believed to the guiding principles.

Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

IORA is an international organisation consisting of 22 coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean.
It is formerly known as the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative and Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC).
It is a regional forum bringing together representatives of Government, Business and Academia, for promoting co-operation and closer interaction among them.
It is based on the principles of Open Regionalism for strengthening Economic Cooperation particularly on Trade Facilitation and Investment, Promotion as well as Social Development of the region.
The Coordinating Secretariat of IORA is located at Ebene, Mauritius.