Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. India’s participation in the G7 Summit 2026 reflected its attempt to combine the concerns of the Global South with proposals for connectivity, mobility and economic resilience. Discuss.
- Q. “The India–France Innovation Roadmap 2030 reflects the growing role of technology and innovation in bilateral relations. Discuss its major features and significance.”
Q. India’s participation in the G7 Summit 2026 reflected its attempt to combine the concerns of the Global South with proposals for connectivity, mobility and economic resilience. Discuss.
(UPSC GS Paper II: International Relations, Global Groupings, India’s Bilateral Relations and Global Governance)
Introduction:
At the 52nd G7 Summit Outreach Session in Évian, France, India projected itself as a bridge between advanced economies and the Global South. It highlighted the unequal impact of geopolitical conflicts on developing countries while proposing practical mechanisms for connectivity, skilled mobility and economic resilience.
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Concerns of the Global South
India argued that disruptions in fuel, fertiliser and food supply chains caused by the West Asia crisis would affect developing countries for a prolonged period.
The near-disruption of the Strait of Hormuz affected supplies of LPG, LNG, petrol, diesel and fertilisers. Such shocks increase inflation, weaken external balances and reduce the developmental capacity of vulnerable economies.
India therefore urged international financial institutions to create support systems that would help developing countries:
- Absorb external economic shocks
- Maintain fiscal and economic resilience
- Manage rising energy and food costs
- Avoid bearing the burden of conflicts created elsewhere
India also called for replacing the traditional donor–recipient model with partnerships based on equality, mutual respect and shared responsibility.
Connectivity through IMPACT
India proposed the International Mobilisation Partnership for Accelerating Connectivity and Trade (IMPACT).
The initiative seeks to combine:
- G7 capital
- India’s talent and implementation capacity
- Ownership of Global South countries
It aims to promote connectivity projects in Africa, Latin America and Pacific Island countries. This approach emphasises locally owned and mutually beneficial infrastructure rather than externally imposed development models.
Global Skills Partnership
India proposed a Global Skills Partnership to connect ageing developed economies with the young and skilled populations of India and other developing countries.
It would promote:
- Skill mapping
- Trusted skilled mobility
- Legal migration pathways
- Matching labour supply with global demand
This can benefit destination countries facing labour shortages while generating employment and remittances for developing economies.
Economic and Strategic Resilience
India used bilateral meetings with the US, EU, Canada, the UK and UAE to advance:
- Trade and investment agreements
- Energy and defence cooperation
- Supply-chain diversification
- Maritime security
- Freedom of navigation
- Protection of seafarers
India also supported peace in Ukraine and West Asia, linking political stability with global economic recovery.
Challenges
The success of India’s proposals depends on adequate financing, institutional coordination, local ownership and the willingness of developed countries to reform global governance. Continuing conflicts and strategic competition may also delay implementation.
Conclusion:
India’s G7 engagement combined advocacy for the Global South with constructive proposals for connectivity, mobility and resilience. By linking G7 resources, India’s capabilities and Global South ownership, India sought to promote a more inclusive, balanced and multipolar international order.
Q. “The India–France Innovation Roadmap 2030 reflects the growing role of technology and innovation in bilateral relations. Discuss its major features and significance.”
(UPSC GS Paper II: International Relations, India–France Relations and International Cooperation)
Introduction:
India and France adopted the Innovation Roadmap 2030 to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, research, education, healthcare, startups, aeronautics and space. It builds on the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 and the elevation of bilateral ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.
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Major Features
- Trusted Artificial Intelligence: Both countries will cooperate on safe, secure and risk-based AI governance while protecting democratic values, human rights and children from online risks.
- Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing: India’s DEPA and France’s trusted data platforms will support secure data sharing in healthcare, research, public services and AI innovation.
- Academic and Professional Mobility: France aims to host 30,000 Indian students by 2030. Both sides will promote mutual recognition of qualifications, dual degrees, doctoral cooperation and research exchanges.
- Institutional Cooperation: CEFIPRA, the India–France Innovation Network, Franco-Indian campuses and the proposed InnoXchange Bridge will connect governments, industries, startups, universities and research institutions.
- Space and Health Innovation: Cooperation will cover Earth observation, human-space exploration, microgravity research and health-data collaboration between ICMR and France’s Health Data Hub.
Significance
- Promotes technological sovereignty and co-development of critical technologies.
- Builds resilient and trusted supply chains.
- Strengthens startup, research and industry–academia linkages.
- Supports India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and France’s France 2030 strategy.
- Expands education, skills and professional mobility.
- Offers a human-centric innovation model that may benefit the Global South.
Challenges
- Differences in data-protection and AI-regulatory approaches.
- Concerns over intellectual-property sharing.
- Coordination among multiple institutions.
- Converting proposed platforms into measurable outcomes.
Conclusion:
The India–France Innovation Roadmap 2030 marks a shift from conventional strategic cooperation to a technology- and knowledge-driven partnership. Its success will depend on effective implementation, regulatory coordination and jointly developed projects with clear outcomes.
