New Delhi– India confirmed on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted an invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to attend the upcoming G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. The two leaders are expected to use the opportunity to discuss ways to reset and strengthen bilateral relations.
During a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the call from Prime Minister Carney last week marked a step forward in re-engagement between the two democracies.
“It was an occasion for the two Prime Ministers to reflect on India-Canada relations and how to take them forward. India and Canada are vibrant democracies, bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and strong people-to-people ties,” Jaiswal said.
Modi and Carney are expected to meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, scheduled for June 15–17. According to the MEA, the meeting will be a key opportunity for both leaders to exchange views on bilateral and global issues, and to explore pathways toward a more constructive relationship based on mutual respect, shared interests, and sensitivity to each other’s concerns.
Relations between the two countries sharply deteriorated in 2023 after Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, made what India called baseless allegations against New Delhi. In the aftermath, India accused Canada of harboring extremism and failing to prevent attacks on Indian diplomats.
“There are existing mechanisms between Indian and Canadian law enforcement agencies that have discussed mutual security concerns, and this engagement is likely to continue,” Jaiswal noted. He emphasized that India expects its partners to take its security concerns seriously.
Despite the tensions, both nations see value in deepening cooperation. Jaiswal highlighted the expansive economic ties, strong academic and technological collaborations, and the large Indian student and diaspora communities in Canada as areas of mutual benefit.
Following his phone conversation with Carney, Prime Minister Modi posted on X: “Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigor, guided by mutual respect and shared interests.”
Carney, who recently took office after the departure of Justin Trudeau, has prioritized rebuilding relations with India. During his campaign, he referred to India as an “incredibly important relationship” and stressed the significance of strategic, personal, and economic ties between the two nations.
The Kananaskis summit will mark Modi’s fifth consecutive participation in a G7 meeting and his first foreign visit since being re-elected to a third term. Last year, he attended the G7 in Apulia, Italy, where India was invited as an outreach country and engaged in discussions on key global issues relevant to India and the Global South.
The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union. As this year’s G7 President, Canada is hosting the summit with a focus on global economic cooperation and strategic alignment among major democracies. (Source: IANS)
