Canada, host of the 2025 G7 Summit, has yet to clarify whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be invited to this significant global meeting.
New Delhi: Canada, hosting the 2025 G7 Summit, has not yet clarified whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be invited to this important global meeting. India has consistently participated in G7 summits as a special guest since 2019, but strained relations with Canada have created uncertainty this time.
The Significance of Canada's Silence
The G7 Summit will be held in Canmore, Alberta, from June 15-17 this year. However, Canadian officials have not yet released the list of guest countries, including India. Questions are being raised about Canada's official stance on this issue, as the recently tense relationship between New Delhi and Ottawa is undeniable.
Experts believe the delay in inviting India could be a result of Canada's strategic thinking and domestic political pressure. It is noteworthy that last year, a dispute arose between former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and India over pro-Khalistan elements, straining bilateral relations.
Will India Receive an Invitation?
A G7 media team official stated, "No final decision has been made yet on invitations to guest countries. Information will be shared in due course." This statement has fueled speculation about India's participation in the summit. However, India has indicated its willingness to improve relations, provided that a spirit of mutual trust and respect is maintained. Sources suggest that inviting or not inviting Prime Minister Modi would be a significant indication of Canada's foreign policy direction.
A Challenge for Mark Carney
Canada's new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has expressed a desire to improve relations with India after assuming office, but his path is not easy amidst domestic and international pressures. The strain in India-Canada relations reached its peak during Trudeau's tenure, and Carney now faces the challenge of restoring that trust.
The Importance of G7 and India
India, as the world's fifth-largest economy and a b force in global diplomacy, can play a significant role in the G7 agenda. India's stance on issues such as climate change, global supply chains, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region holds considerable weight. Therefore, if Canada does not invite India, it would be a major diplomatic signal.
Prime Minister Modi has consistently participated in G7 meetings since 2019. He was first invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to the Biarritz Summit. Subsequently, India was also invited to G7 summits led by the US, UK, Germany, and Japan. However, the continued uncertainty regarding Canada's invitation to India suggests that tensions still remain in the relationship between the two countries.
