Instead of adopting an omnibus communique the G7 leaders announced a number of joint statements on issues that concerned this group of advanced countries and economies whose decisions play a crucial role in the different spheres in our contentious times. In all there were nine such statements stretching from geopolitics to supply chains for critical materials to the Ebola crisis which, as noted by me in an earlier column, has been declared by the World Health Organisation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Two joint statements–on migration and drug trafficking—were of specific concern to G7 members while those relating to the fight against cancer, safer digital space for minors, balanced , durable and resilient growth and mutually beneficial international partnerships cover all countries. 

Among these themes that the joint statements covered it would be understandable if the attention of a former diplomat like this writer turns first to that on geopolitics. This joint statement deals with three specific issues/areas. These are the Ukraine and Iran wars and the Indo-Pacific region. Indirectly therefore they target the two main current challengers of the West–Russia and China and also Iran which caused such havoc to the world economy by its closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The joint statement does not contain surprises except that in the case of the Ukraine war Trump has gone along with the Europeans and........

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