PM Modi to Attend G-7 Summit in Canada, Signaling Thaw in Bilateral Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Canada next week to participate in the G-7 Summit, following an invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. This visit, Mr. Modi’s first to Canada in a decade, comes amid efforts to repair strained bilateral ties caused by the Khalistan separatist issue, allegations over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and reciprocal diplomatic expulsions in 2023–24. The invitation and acceptance mark a significant step towards restoring India-Canada diplomatic engagement and rekindling broader people-to-people and commercial relations.

Why in News?

PM Modi has officially accepted Canadian PM Mark Carney’s last-minute invitation to attend the upcoming G-7 Summit in Alberta, Canada, on short notice. The development is highly significant given the recent low point in India-Canada relations and indicates a potential reset in diplomatic ties following political transitions and ongoing international dialogues.

Key Highlights

• Event: G-7 Summit 2025
• Location: Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada
• Date: Next week (Mid-June 2025)
• Invited by: Canadian PM Mark Carney
• First India-Canada visit by PM Modi since 2015
• Theme of visit: Resetting bilateral relations with “renewed vigour”

Context and Background

India-Canada ties worsened over

• Khalistan-related violence and protests
• Murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023
• Expulsion of High Commissioners and diplomats in 2023 and 2024
• Suspension of visa services and downsizing embassies

Two major anniversaries in June

• 40 years since Air India Kanishka bombing (June 23, 1985)
• 2 years since Nijjar’s assassination (June 18, 2023)

What the Leaders Said

PM Mark Carney

• Discussed “security cooperation and law enforcement dialogue”
• Emphasized shared commercial and people-to-people ties

PM Narendra Modi

• Promised to work with “renewed vigour guided by mutual respect”
• Congratulated Carney on election victory
• Highlighted India-Canada as vibrant democracies

International Implications

Modi to meet

• U.S. President Donald Trump, amid tensions over Operation Sindoor
• U.K. PM Keir Starmer, post India-U.K. FTA finalization
• Possible interactions with Quad and BRICS leaders (Australia, Brazil, South Africa)

Future of Diplomatic Exchanges

• Canada had proposed Christopher Cooter as High Commissioner to India in 2024.
• India recently named Dinesh Patnaik, Ambassador to Spain, for the post in Ottawa.
• Speculation on whether High Commissioners will be restored as part of the thaw