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Global conflicts, economic imbalances and AI risks will shape the G7 talks, alongside a crucial Modi-Trump meeting.
G7 leaders will meet in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains from Monday. (REUTERS)
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) will meet in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains from Monday for talks expected to focus on the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, trade tensions, global economic imbalances, artificial intelligence and the debt burden facing developing countries.
The summit comes hours after the United States and Iran announced a framework to end their war, a development that could ease one of the biggest sources of tension between US President Donald Trump and his European allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also attend as Kyiv seeks to bring the Russia-Ukraine war back to the centre of Western attention.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among the leaders invited by French President Emmanuel Macron. Modi is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Trump on June 17, with the proposed India-US trade agreement likely to be a key focus.
Here is what to know about the G7, the agenda in Evian and the major outcomes to watch.
What Is The G7?
The G7 is an informal grouping comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. The European Union also attends G7 summits but is not counted among the seven members.
The grouping has no permanent secretariat or legal status. Its influence comes from the economic and political weight of its members, whose combined annual GDP is worth more than $50 trillion, or just under half of the global economy.
France holds the G7 presidency in 2026 after taking over from Canada. The presidency will pass to the United States in 2027.
In recent years, host countries have regularly invited non-G7 leaders. India, Brazil, South Korea and Kenya are among the partner countries represented this year, while Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will join discussions on the Middle East.
What’s On The Agenda
Iran Deal And Strait Of Hormuz
The US-Iran conflict was expected to be a major focus of the summit after Trump’s military action against Tehran strained ties with European allies. However, Washington and Tehran’s announcement of a framework to end the war has changed the tenor of the discussions.
The agreement is expected to be signed on Friday, followed by technical talks over the next 60 days. G7 leaders are likely to seek clarity on its terms, implementation and durability.
A key concern will be the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments. Trump has said the waterway will reopen on Friday and that he has ordered an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports.
France and Britain are expected to offer assistance in clearing mines from the strait and escorting tankers once a stable ceasefire is in place. Leaders are also likely to discuss alternative routes for transporting energy out of the Gulf, including through Egypt.
France had earlier been pushing for a common position on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Those issues are still expected to feature in the talks.
Ukraine Looks To Regain Attention
Ukraine will be another central item on the agenda as the war with Russia enters its fifth year.
Zelenskyy is expected to use the summit to argue that Ukraine’s battlefield position has improved and that Russian President Vladimir Putin should be pushed towards negotiations.
He has proposed direct talks with Putin and wants European countries to play a larger role in the diplomatic process. Kyiv is also concerned that the conflict in Iran has diverted Washington’s attention away from Ukraine.
European G7 members are expected to try to persuade Trump that Ukraine’s position has strengthened and that Europe is now shouldering much of the financial, military and political burden of supporting Kyiv. They will also seek a common G7 approach to any meaningful negotiations with Putin.
According to AP, the Tuesday morning session on Ukraine will give Zelenskyy an opportunity to make the case that Putin cannot achieve his objectives militarily.
Maria Snegovaya, a Russia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told AP that Zelenskyy now has “a significantly stronger hand”.
China And Global Economic Imbalances
The G7 will also discuss economic imbalances that France says could threaten global financial stability.
French officials have summarised the problem as China producing too much, the United States consuming too much and Europe investing too little. Western governments are particularly concerned about China’s record trade surplus and its growing presence in advanced manufacturing.
They argue that state-supported Chinese exports are undercutting domestic industries and threatening jobs. Beijing has rejected allegations that its exporters benefit unfairly from government subsidies.
According to Reuters, Macron is seeking a coordinated response from G7 members before the European Union decides whether to adopt a tougher trade policy towards China. With Beijing absent from the summit, however, no breakthrough is expected. French officials say even a shared acknowledgement that the imbalance exists would count as progress.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence will be another major theme at the summit.
France has invited around a dozen senior technology executives, including OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, to discuss the latest advances in AI and the risks and opportunities associated with the technology.
The protection of children online and digital infrastructure will also be discussed.
PM Modi is expected to participate in discussions on the safe deployment of AI, sustainable economic growth and global partnerships.
Debt Burden Of Developing Countries
G7 leaders are also likely to address the heavy debt burden facing emerging markets and developing economies.
The participation of leaders from India, Brazil, Kenya and other partner countries is expected to bring the concerns of developing economies into the discussion.
Modi-Trump Talks And The India-US Trade Deal
Modi and Trump are scheduled to meet on June 17 on the sidelines of the summit, according to the White House.
It will be their first face-to-face meeting since Modi visited Trump in February 2025 following the US president’s victory in the November 2024 election.
The proposed India-US trade agreement is expected to be the main focus of the talks. Negotiations have continued for several months, but US officials have indicated that the deal is unlikely to be finalised at the summit.
“We signed a joint framework agreement earlier this year and have been engaged in intensive negotiations with India over the past year,” a US official told reporters at the White House.
The official said there was scope to increase US exports to India in sectors including energy, industrial goods and selected agricultural products.
However, the official added that Trump would not agree to a deal unless “it is a very good deal”.
The meeting comes amid strains over US tariffs on Indian exports, India’s oil trade with Russia and Trump’s repeated claims that he helped resolve the India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, a claim New Delhi has consistently rejected.
About the Author
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo…Read More
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