G7, BRICS, SCO... India's new govt has a hectic diplomatic schedule ahead

After a pause due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, India is all set to start a busy diplomatic schedule once sworn in, which is expected to happen late next week following the June 4 election results. The newly elected Prime Minister will swing into action soon after the government is formed at the centre starting with the G7 summit in Italy from June 13-15.  This summit will focus on important issues like the global economic landscape, international trade, climate change and the impacts of ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts between Israel and Hamas.

Ahead of the G7, the External Affairs Minister will attend the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Russia on June 11, in preparation for the BRICS summit scheduled for October. Indian Prime Minister is expected to host Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in the last week of June, followed by participation in the SCO summit in Kazakhstan in July, where he may meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping post-elections.

India is unlikely to participate at a high level in the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, scheduled immediately after the G7 due to Russia’s opposition and Ukraine’s exclusionary stance towards Moscow. A secretary-level official may represent India at the summit, while US President Joe Biden’s participation remains unconfirmed.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MHA) is reportedly preparing a guest list that reflects India’s strategic and economic priorities. According to reports, if the Modi government return to power, the guest list might expand to include countries from Africa and the Gulf region such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

Recognising the African Union’s inclusion in the G20 last year as a major achievement of India’s G20 presidency along with the consensus on Ukraine, the list may also feature neighbouring countries similar to the SAARC and BIMSTEC leaders invited in 2014 and 2019, respectively.