G7 Invite Sparks Debate: Canada Welcomes Modi Amid Diplomatic Strains

India Extends Global Reach: Invited as Guest at G7 Summit in Canada

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the upcoming G7 Leaders’ Summit (June 15–17, 2025) in Kananaskis, Alberta, after an invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, now leading Canada for the first time youtube.com+15reuters.com+15hindustantimes.com+15. Carney underlined that inviting India—the world’s fifth-largest economy and most populous nation—was essential for discussions on global supply chains, energy security, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3theguardian.com+3economictimes.indiatimes.com+3.

Domestic Opposition in Canada: Accusations and Outcry

The invitation has stirred significant backlash in Canada, particularly from Sikh advocacy groups and opposition MPs. The World Sikh Organization of Canada condemned the move, calling it “a betrayal of Canadian values” given ongoing allegations of Indian government involvement in the 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia winnipeg.citynews.ca+4theguardian.com+4apnews.com+4.

Within Parliament, figures like Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal and members of the NDP are vocal critics. Dhaliwal has planned meetings with PM Carney to demand clearer commitments from India toward justice and transparency in the Nijjar investigation timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15winnipeg.citynews.ca+15hindustantimes.com+15. Opposition sentiments are amplified by accusations that Canada is compromising its stance on human rights to pursue economic diplomacy.

Canada’s Justification: Strategic Engagement Over Retaliation

Prime Minister Carney and Foreign Minister Anita Anand defended the move, emphasizing that the G7 summit is inherently a strategic forum. They stressed that engaging India is a pragmatic necessity for building "coalitions with reliable partners," regardless of domestic critics timesofindia.indiatimes.com+14hindustantimes.com+14organiser.org+14. Anand reassured Canadians that law enforcement dialogue with India—particularly in the Nijjar case—remains ongoing and unaffected apnews.com+4m.thewire.in+4m.economictimes.com+4.

Carney also rejected links between the invitation and allegations against Modi, stating that commenting on ongoing legal proceedings regarding the Nijjar murder would be inappropriate en.wikipedia.org+15theguardian.com+15m.thewire.in+15.

Modi’s Reaction: Diplomatic Optimism

Prime Minister Modi accepted the invitation, describing it as a “call for renewed vigour” in India–Canada relations based on shared democratic values and mutual respect organiser.org+4theguardian.com+4reuters.com+4. His acceptance was seen as a potential thaw in diplomatic ties following a prolonged standoff marked by mutual expulsions and suspended dialogue.

Reports indicate that Canada secured Modi’s participation in part by obtaining a commitment to reinvigorate law enforcement cooperation m.economictimes.com+1theguardian.com+1. However, Modi’s public statement refrained from referencing any specific agreements.

A Diplomatic Balancing Act Under Scrutiny

Canada’s G7 invitation to Modi appears to reflect a nuanced shift in its foreign policy—prioritizing strategic engagements with rising economies like India, while cautiously regulating contested issues through ongoing legal frameworks and investigation channels .

However, the move has triggered a domestic backlash, highlighting a potential divergence between pragmatic diplomacy and principled foreign policy. Critics argue that without firm assurances on law enforcement cooperation and accountability, economic incentives risk superseding moral and legal responsibilities.

What to Watch for at the Summit

At the G7, focus areas involving India include:

• Energy security and climate resilience

• Critical mineral supply chains and infrastructure partnerships

• Artificial intelligence governance and digital cooperation

• Joint efforts on countering foreign interference and transnational crime

Carney has also confirmed that law enforcement coordination between Canada and India will remain on the discussion table during the summit apnews.com+4m.economictimes.com+4economictimes.indiatimes.com+4economictimes.indiatimes.comm.thewire.in+1hindustantimes.com+1hindustantimes.com+3reuters.com+3apnews.com+3.

Conclusion: Diplomatic Pragmatism Amid Controversy

Inviting India’s Prime Minister to the G7 reflects Canada’s intention to forge strategic alliances and enhance global governance partnerships, even as the decision draws sharp critiques at home over unresolved diplomatic disputes. Whether this outreach will thaw bilateral tensions on human rights or deepen the divide between political imperatives and legal accountability will be closely watched in the days ahead.