PM Modi Attends G7 Summit in Canada Amid Global Tensions and Push to Reset Ties with Ottawa

Kananaskis, Canada | June 17, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Canada for the first time in a decade to attend the 51st G7 Summit, hosted this year in the scenic Canadian Rocky Mountain resort of Kananaskis. Though India is not a member of the elite G7 group, Modi’s invitation marks India’s twelfth participation and his sixth consecutive G7 appearance, underscoring India’s growing clout on the global stage.

G7 Summit: Key Global Backdrop

This year’s summit convenes amid heightened global instability, particularly:

• The escalating Israel-Iran conflict, which has seen missile and drone strikes exchanged following an Israeli aerial campaign.
• A deepening trade war triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, leading to protectionist moves across global markets.

In a dramatic turn, Trump abruptly left the summit on Monday, calling the Iran situation “very important” and stating Tehran should be evacuated “immediately.” Before his departure, he joined other leaders in issuing a unified statement: “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.” He also pressed for de-escalation in Gaza and reiterated that Iran must return to nuclear negotiations before it’s “too late.”

India’s Agenda at the Summit

PM Modi arrived in Canada on Monday evening and is expected to hold multiple bilateral meetings alongside the main summit sessions. According to the official statement, his focus areas include:

• Energy security
• Technological innovation
• Prioritizing the Global South

He will also address the G7 Outreach Session, which includes emerging economies like Brazil, Türkiye, Argentina, and several African nations. This outreach session will emphasize inclusive development, climate action, and geopolitical cooperation.

This visit also follows India’s recent Operation Sindoor, a military operation targeting terror bases in Pakistan and PoK, launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attacks.

India-Canada: A Diplomatic Reset in Motion?

PM Modi’s invitation also carries weight due to the strained relations between India and Canada, which plummeted after the killing of pro-Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. India expelled Canadian diplomats and recalled its own after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government alleged Indian involvement in Nijjar’s death.

With Trudeau no longer in office, the current administration under Mark Carney extended a formal olive branch by inviting Modi — a move seen as a signal to restore diplomatic normalcy. India responded by expressing willingness to rebuild ties based on “mutual trust and sensitivity.”

A Trade and People Connection

Despite past tensions, the India-Canada trade relationship totaled $12 billion in 2024, with significant potential for growth, especially amid both countries’ efforts to diversify away from U.S. trade reliance.

Canada is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas, comprising nearly 4.5% of the population. That includes:

• Over 1.8 million people of Indian origin
• Approximately 770,000 Sikhs
• Around 1 million NRIs – including students, skilled workers, and professionals.

However, India’s dominance in Canada’s student population (41% of international students in 2022) has recently taken a hit due to Ottawa’s tightening immigration policies, impacting both educational institutions and student pathways.

Why Modi’s G7 Invite Matters

While not a member of G7, India’s continued invitations reflect its status as a key strategic player. Each year, the G7 host nation hand-picks guest countries to align with global themes. India’s recurring spot signals its importance in discussions around democracy, climate, security, and economic resilience.

Past outreach participations include:

• 2003 (France)
• 2005 (UK)
• 2006 (Russia)
• 2007 (Germany)
• 2008 (Japan)
• 2009 (Italy)
• 2019 (France)
• 2021–2024 (UK, Germany, Japan, Italy)

What Lies Ahead

With geopolitical fires burning across the globe — from the Middle East to trade standoffs — India’s steady presence at the G7 reflects its evolving role as a diplomatic bridge between the developed and developing world.

As the summit concludes, attention will be on whether PM Modi’s outreach and bilateral dialogues can translate into concrete outcomes: from trade breakthroughs with Canada to stronger positioning of the Global South in global governance frameworks.