Photo Credit: IANS
After weeks of speculation and geopolitical undercurrents, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially confirmed his attendance at the G7 Summit, scheduled to be held from June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. This announcement ends the suspense over whether India’s top leader would accept the invitation extended by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—especially after months of diplomatic chill between the two nations.
Modi’s confirmation comes at a time when India-Canada relations are still under a shadow, following the controversial allegations by Canada in 2023 accusing Indian agents of involvement in the killing of separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The accusations triggered a diplomatic standoff, with both countries expelling senior diplomats and suspending key engagements.
Yet, in a surprise move driven perhaps by realpolitik, Canadian PM Mark Carney extended a personal invitation to Prime Minister Modi. In a phone call last week, Carney highlighted India’s critical role in global economic and strategic frameworks. “India is the fifth-largest economy and the most populous country in the world,” Carney said during a public briefing. “Its presence at the G7 is vital to any meaningful dialogue on global supply chains, trade, and climate.”
PM Modi responded warmly. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister @MarkJCarney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month. Looking forward to meeting him.”
While India is not a formal G7 member, it has regularly been invited to participate in the outreach sessions of the summit in recent years. With growing global clout and influence on international policy, India’s presence at the table reflects its rising stature—especially as countries in the West look to build partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and diversify supply chains away from China.
This year’s G7 agenda is expected to focus on geopolitical tensions, climate action, global economic stability, and digital governance. Modi’s visit to Canada will be watched closely—not just for what’s said at the summit, but also for any bilateral thaw that might emerge between India and Canada during the event.
Given the backdrop of frosty relations, Modi’s decision to attend signals a careful balancing act: upholding national interests while continuing to engage on the world stage. The move could also mark a reset, however subtle, in India-Canada ties—provided both sides are willing to step back from the diplomatic brink.
As India heads into a new diplomatic season, with a fresh mandate and evolving global alliances, the G7 Summit offers a high-stakes platform for both assertiveness and engagement. All eyes will now be on Kananaskis as global leaders, including PM Modi, gather to shape the post-pandemic world order.
