Carney Invites Modi to G7 Summit Amid Tense Canada-India Relations

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta later this month—a move that underscores the complex and strained relationship between the two nations.

Despite serious diplomatic tensions that erupted last year, including the reciprocal expulsion of each country’s top diplomats, Modi accepted Carney’s invitation. The summit, scheduled from June 15 to 17, will be a crucial platform for international dialogue—one that Carney says India simply can’t be left out of.

Why the Strain Between Canada and India?

The tensions trace back to the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh Canadian activist in British Columbia. Canada has accused Indian government agents of being involved in the killing, sparking a diplomatic firestorm. India denies any wrongdoing. This serious accusation led to the unprecedented expulsion of diplomats on both sides, signaling how deep the mistrust has grown.

The Invitation and Its Fallout

Carney personally invited Modi during a phone call on Friday, emphasizing India’s significant role as the world’s fifth-largest economy and the most populous country. “India is central to global supply chains and the discussions that will take place at the summit,” Carney said, highlighting the importance of collaboration despite political challenges.

Modi responded warmly, congratulating Carney on his recent election win and expressing eagerness to meet at the summit. On social media, Modi described the India-Canada relationship as one between “vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties,” pledging to work together with “renewed vigour.”

However, the invitation did not sit well with everyone. The World Sikh Organization of Canada, which had urged Carney not to invite Modi, condemned the decision as a “betrayal of Canadian values.” Their spokesperson, Balpreet Singh, called the timing especially painful since the summit coincides with the two-year anniversary of Nijjar’s assassination.

“This is shocking and a complete reversal of the principled stance that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took,” Singh said.

Legal and Political Context

A legal process related to Nijjar’s murder is still ongoing. Four Indian nationals living in Canada have been charged in connection with the killing, but Carney declined to comment on Modi’s potential involvement when pressed by reporters.

Adding to the tension, last year U.S. prosecutors accused an Indian government official of orchestrating a failed assassination plot against another Sikh separatist leader on American soil, highlighting that Canada is not alone in raising these concerns.

Looking Ahead

While the invitation signals a willingness to engage at a diplomatic level, underlying mistrust remains palpable. Carney mentioned some progress on law enforcement dialogue, suggesting there may be cautious steps toward improving cooperation.

For now, the world will watch closely as these two leaders meet on a global stage—where political realities, human rights concerns, and international relations collide.