New Delhi /Kananaskis, Alberta, June 8: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Friday that inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to this month’s G7 Summit “made sense,” citing India’s growing global economic influence and strategic role in global supply chains.
The summit, scheduled to be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15 to 17, will bring together leaders of the world’s major industrialized nations — the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan — along with the European Union and key international institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and United Nations.
“India is the fifth largest economy in the world and effectively the most populous country. It is central to many of the supply chains that are at the heart of G7 discussions,” Carney told reporters in Ottawa, explaining his rationale for extending the invitation. “It makes sense.”
Carney also noted that the two countries had made progress in law enforcement cooperation. “We have now agreed to continued law enforcement-to-law enforcement dialogue. That recognizes issues of accountability,” he added.
Relations between India and Canada have been strained in recent years, particularly over concerns regarding Khalistani separatist activities in Canada. Tensions escalated after the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, which led to a diplomatic standoff under then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration.
Asked about the ongoing investigation into Nijjar’s killing, Carney declined to comment, citing an active legal process. “It is never appropriate to speak on matters that are subject to an ongoing legal process,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi confirmed his participation in the summit in a social media post, describing the invitation as a sign of renewed engagement. “India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests,” Modi said. “I look forward to our meeting at the summit.”
The upcoming G7 meeting is expected to focus on several pressing global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and rising tensions in West Asia. India’s participation is likely to lend greater weight to discussions on the Global South and multilateral reforms.
