A historic shift in Indo-Canadian ties was signalled when Canadian PM Mark Carney invited Indian PM Narendra Modi to the Upcoming G7 summit that will be held in Alberta from 15 till 17 June. PM Carney personally invited PM Modi over a phone call on 6 June 2025, according to a readout issued by the Canadian PM’s office.
PM Modi accepted the invite and thanked Carney in a post on X writing that “As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the summit”.
PM Carney faced backlash due to the murder of the Separatist Sikh Activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar which the Canadian government accuses India of carrying out the assassination of the Sikh leader on Canadian soil.
India and Canada have been sharing frayed relations since 2023 since former PM Justin Trudeau accused Indian diplomats and consular staff of engaging in criminal activities. In return, India strongly rejected the allegations, calling them preposterous. This row led to the expulsion of their top diplomats in both the countries. Last October, India expelled the acting high commissioner of Canada and five other diplomats, while, on the other hand, withdrawing its own diplomats from Canada.
Under PM Carney’s government, Ottawa has expressed its commitment to resetting ties with India by seeking further cooperation between law enforcement agencies with reference to the killing of Hardeep Singh Njjar. “Both leaders also had an opportunity to reflect on the India Canada relationship and the way forward. India and Canada are vibrant democracies bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told the weekly press briefing on Thursday.
PM Carney had to answer some serious questions like “Why is Modi invited to G7 and what message does it send”? PM Carney answered by iterating that he extended the invitation to India after consulting with other G7 Countries. He stated that “India is the fifth largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous country in the world. (It is) central to a number of those supply chains; (It is) at the heart of a number of those supply chains, so it makes sense.”
It was a strong push from the other G6 countries – USA, Germany, UK, Japan, France, and Italy to bring India to the table for the 6th time in the G7 summit. Western needs India to address critical issues like energy security, digital future, critical minerals, partnerships and building infrastructure. Additionally, China’s hegemony exacerbates the geopolitical challenges which could be countered by India which has recently surpassed Japan to become the 4th largest economy in the world and is effectively the most populous country in the world. China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea makes India’s presence pivotal due to its Indo- Pacific security Framework. Moreover, India has been a permanent invitee for the G7 due to the importance of the Global South. It is the first opportunity for Modi to meet Global Leaders after Operation Sindoor to highlight India’s stance on the Pahalgam Attack taken place by five armed terrorists in which 26 civilians were killed on 22 April 2025. Modi would also highlight eliminating and neutralizing nine major terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
What is the Agenda of G7 for India?
The G7 would provide PM Modi the opportunity to hold talks with President Donald Trump, the President of The United States. Relations between India and USA were downgraded due to the excessive tariffs imposed by Trump on India, Canada and several other countries. The G7 summit would add to the negotiations between the two countries for the trade deal. USA being India’s largest trading partner, the leaders would likely discuss tariff cuts, market access and enhancing digital trade during the mid conclave meeting. This meeting is highly anticipated after the four days of closed- door meetings which took place before the deadline of tariff suspension on July 9 between top representatives from India and the USA. The meetings held are stated to be “productive and creative”.
PM Modi hopes to open a window for a potential “reset” of its relations with Canada which soared in 2023, after the former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau pointed out New Delhi’s involvement in the murder of Nijjar. This tumultuous relation between both the countries would come to a narrowing end based on mutual respect and shared interests.
What does India bring to the G7 table?
Although India is not a permanent member of G7, it has been invited to every G7 summit since 2019. The principal reason for India’s rising influence is its influence and responsibility to the world being the most populous country in addition to being the newest fourth largest economy in the world. India’s responsibility is expanding due to the declining power of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) which is unable to take strong decisions between US and China and many more. India could act as a building block to the G7 with its GDP being similar to Japan and significantly higher GDP than Italy, France and Canada. Countering China, India is strengthening its ties with the United States and is the founding member of Quad with Australia, US and Japan to strengthen security in the Global South. India is promoting “Made in India” heavily and reducing its reliance on Chinese imports. India has been successful in expanding its exports in the Western markets and is positioned as a viable market for pharmaceuticals, agricultural and now technology.
Why is G7 important for India?
India is on its way to evolve onto a “global leader”. G7, which represents 45 percent of the global GDP, acts as a pathway for India to shape global rules and deepen economic and strategic ties with the west.
G7 Countries are key players for climate finance and clean energy and India is in need of climate finance for its 2070 net zero goal. Lastly, India uses G7 forums for pushing the reforms of global governance, counter terrorism and building alignment on its Indo-Pacific security.
(This article has been written by Dr Murthy Devarabhotla, Global President, The Diplomatic Club, India, as part of a special arrangement with TFI)
