Three Firsts, One Mission: How PM Modi’s G7 Trip To Canada Carries A Bigger Global Agenda
PM Narendra Modi had attended all five previous summits of the G7 grouping.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 Outreach session in Italy last year (Image: X/Narendra Modi)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday confirmed that he will attend the G7 summit in Canada this month. Canadian PM Mark Carney extended an invitation to the Indian Prime Minister during their first phone conversation, which he accepted. The G7 comprises the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Canada is holding the current presidency of the G7 and is hosting the summit in that capacity. PM Modi had attended all five previous summits of the grouping.
PM Modi accepted the invitation that came over a week before the summit of the influential grouping kicks off. The summit will be held in Canada’s Alberta province from June 15 to 17.
The phone call was initiated by the Canadian side, clearly signalling Ottawa’s intent to repair the ties with New Delhi that nosedived during Justin Trudeau’s tenure.
3 Firsts As PM Modi Travels To Canada
First Visit To Canada Since Diplomatic Fallout
PM Modi’s visit to Canada later this month would be his first visit to Canada since the bilateral ties between the two countries nosedived.
The relations between India and Canada came under severe strain following former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s allegations of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
While New Delhi has rejected the charges as absurd, India has maintained that the “core issue” with Canada remains the space given to Khalistani separatists in the country.
First Carney-Modi Meet
As PM Modi attends the G7 summit, it would be his first meeting with the newly-elected Canadian PM Mark Carney. Carney has earlier expressed intention to “rebuild” relations with India.
Over his decision to invite India at the G7 summit, Carney said, “India is the fifth largest economy in the world, the world’s most populous country, and central to supply chains.” The Canadian Prime Minister also highlighted the bilateral dimension of the decision.
“In addition, bilaterally we have now agreed importantly to continued law enforcement to law enforcement dialogue so there’s been some progress on that… recognises issues of accountability. I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi in that context, and he has accepted it,” he said.
