Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed his participation in the upcoming G7 Summit in Alberta, Canada, following an official invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. This visit will mark PM Modi’s first international trip since India’s Operation Sindoor, a strategic military strike on nine terror camps inside Pakistan.
Confirming the invitation on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, “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.”
He further noted, “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.”
Modi’s Post-Sindoor Visit Raises Expectations
Given this is PM Modi’s first overseas visit after Operation Sindoor, expectations are high that he may use the summit platform to highlight Pakistan’s ongoing support for terrorism. Operation Sindoor was a significant counter-terror strike targeting Pakistani soil, and Modi’s global engagements post-operation are being closely watched.
Canada Readout Remains Guarded
While Modi’s message emphasized strengthening bilateral ties, the official Canadian readout remained restrained, only noting that “there was agreement to continue law enforcement dialogue and discussions addressing security concerns.”
PM Carney, who took office in March and secured a federal election win shortly after, has expressed a desire to repair bilateral ties strained under former PM Justin Trudeau. Relations had deteriorated sharply after Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim India flatly rejected as “absurd.”
Tariffs and Tensions: Modi to Meet Trump
The summit is also expected to witness a high-stakes meeting between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump, marking their first face-off since Trump imposed a 26% tariff on Indian goods in February. The diplomatic and trade implications of that move remain unresolved.
Khalistan Issue Looms Large
Asked whether inviting Modi amid the Nijjar probe would affect legal proceedings, PM Carney maintained, “A legal process is underway… I cannot comment on an ongoing legal process. My message to Canadians is… Our country follows the rule of law, and we will not disrupt that.”
Despite the lingering controversy, political voices within Canada are optimistic about the summit’s potential to reset ties. Dallas Brodie, a Canadian lawyer and MLA for Vancouver–Quilchena, stated, “I think the relationship will be improved and it will be exciting to have the two leaders meeting… It also brings to light that Canada needs to have a positive relationship with India.”
Brodie emphasized the benefits of engagement with India: “India is a great country to have a trade arrangement with, an educated population, brilliant people, motivated people, a democracy and such a gigantic market. Canada could do nothing but benefit from having a positive relationship with India.”
