In a major development signaling a possible reset in India-Canada relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Canada’s Kananaskis from June 15 to 17.
The invitation comes from newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, marking a shift in diplomatic tone following a prolonged period of tension between the two nations.
Confirming the call and invitation, PM Modi took to X on Friday to express optimism about future cooperation. “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. 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,” the Prime Minister posted.
This will be PM Modi’s first G7 summit in Canada in recent years, and the invitation itself is being interpreted as a major diplomatic gesture—especially in light of speculation that he may have been left out of this year's gathering due to ongoing tensions.
India-Canada ties had plunged to a historic low in 2023 after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of being involved in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—claims made without any public evidence. India denied the allegations, calling them “absurd,” and retaliated by recalling its diplomats and expelling several Canadian officials, including Canada's acting High Commissioner.
Relations hit another low in 2024 when the Indian High Commissioner was labelled a “person of interest” in the same case. India responded by rejecting the claim as “ludicrous” and further scaled down diplomatic engagement.
However, optimism around the relationship grew after Trudeau stepped down and Mark Carney, also from the Liberal Party, assumed office in April. Carney has openly emphasised the importance of strengthening ties with India and underscored that differences could be addressed through “mutual respect.”
The decision to invite Prime Minister Modi is being seen not just as an olive branch but also as a firm stance against Khalistani factions in Canada, who had reportedly pushed to block the invitation.