Trump wants India & Russia to be made members of 'outdated' G7; postpones scheduled meet

Terming the G-7 as 'outdated', days after pitching for an 'in-person' meeting, US President Donald Trump on Sunday postponed said meeting and called for an expansion of the group's membership. Trump demanded the inclusion of India as well as Russia. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 2019 G7 Summit in France despite not being a member after a personal invitation by French President Emmanuel Macron, Russia - a former member - was suspended from the group in 2014 over Moscow's seizure of Crimea. 

Trump has accused the current members of not properly representing the ongoing Coronavirus crisis and other issues taking place in the world. Apart from India and Russia, the US president also singled out Australia, South Korea as possible additions to the G7 group.

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What is the G7 Summit? 

Often being looked at as the grouping of 'rich countries,' the G7 Summit includes the seven countries that are considered the most developed & industrialised economies of the world, for them to discuss economic policies. The grouping that was created in 1975 first included six countries, with Canada joining a year later. The grouping also included Russia, but it was suspended in 2014. The current G7 members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The US currently holds the annual presidency of G7 countries.

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'In-person G7 summit'

Issuing a statement on the summit, the White House had said that President Donald Trump believes that there is 'no greater example' of reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic than holding an in-person G7 summit in America near the end of June. Trump has even suggested that it be held in person at Camp David. This 'change in mind' came even as in March the US president cancelled the physical meet of the G7 and held the very first virtual 'emergency meet.'

"Now that our Country is 'Transitioning back to Greatness', I am considering rescheduling the G-7, on the same or similar date, in Washington, D.C., at the legendary Camp David. The other members are also beginning their COMEBACK. It would be a great sign to all - normalization!" Trump had tweeted.

READ | Donald Trump to postpone G7 meeting after pitching for 'in-person meet' amid Coronavirus

PM Modi in G-7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year had attended G-7 meet at Biarritz and held bilateral talks with UK counterpart Boris Johnson, President of Senegal, Macky Sall, and US President Donald Trump. When PM Modi also addressed a session on digital transformation session and climate change and biodiversity on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit, he reiterated on a global platform that issues between India and Pakistan are bilateral, ruling out the then controversy over 'Trump's mediation offer.'  

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