PM Modi Accepts G7 Summit Invitation from Canadian PM Carney, Signaling Diplomatic Thaw

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a conversation with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday, during which the two leaders addressed a series of global matters.

On the call, PM Modi confirmed that he will be attending the upcoming G7 Summit to be conducted in Kananaskis, Alberta, later this month after accepting the invitation extended by Carney.

Sharing information about their discussion on social media, Modi tweeted on X: "Delighted to accept an invitation from Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election and thanked him for inviting me to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis this month. With vibrant democracies united by strong people-to-people connections, India and Canada will engage with each other with renewed energy, informed by mutual respect and common interests. Hope to meet at the Summit."

Canada, which is this year's G7 Presidency, will host the Leaders' Summit from June 15 to 17 in the picturesque town of Kananaskis in Alberta. The G7 includes seven of the world's most industrialized economies—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US—as well as the European Union as a non-enumerated member.

India has regularly participated in the summit as an Outreach Country. Prime Minister Modi had previously attended the 50th G7 Summit hosted by Italy in Apulia last year. That visit marked Modi’s first foreign trip after beginning his third term in office. It was also India’s 11th appearance at the forum and Modi’s fifth consecutive participation, underscoring India’s growing engagement with leading global economies and its focus on the Global South.

The upcoming trip to Kananaskis brings added diplomatic significance, as Canada's new government seeks to re-energize its relationship with India. On the campaign trail, Carney had named India as an important partner, vowing to make strengthening relations a priority and calling the India-Canada relationship "incredibly important." He emphasized the close personal, economic, and strategic ties between the two nations.

After Carney's win, Prime Minister Modi wished him good luck and underlined the long-standing bond between the peoples of both countries. Modi wrote in his message that he hoped to "unlock greater opportunities" in bilateral relations.

In a concurrent development, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met last week with Canada's newly elected Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Following the meeting, Anand posted on X: "Thank you Minister @DrSJaishankar for the fruitful exchange today on how we can enhance Canada-India relations, enhance our economic partnership, and further common priorities. I look forward to our ongoing collaboration together."

This increased diplomatic engagement marks a possible easing of ties that had so badly frayed under Justin Trudeau's watch. Relations between New Delhi and Ottawa came to a boil in 2023 when Trudeau blamed India for complicity in the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia—a charge hotly rejected by India as "absurd" and "politically motivated.

The diplomatic consequences had both nations expelling high-ranking diplomats, suspending trade talks, and putting official engagements on hold. The New Delhi government had also expressed concerns regarding Canada's response to extremist activities against Indian diplomats and interests.

Now that Carney is in the driver's seat, both countries seem ready to move beyond the past tension and look towards fresh areas of cooperation, particularly on trade, security, and international governance. The Kananaskis G7 Summit could well be the initial important step in recasting the India-Canada alliance.