Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit during a phone call on June 8, marking a significant step towards mending bilateral ties strained over the past two years.
Explaining his decision to extend the invitation, Carney highlighted India’s growing global influence and economic strength. “There are certain countries that should be at the table for these discussions. In my capacity as G7 chair, and in consultation with others, we made that determination. India is the fifth-largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous country, and central to many global supply chains, so it makes sense,” Carney said.
🇮🇳 Bharat holds the world stage! 🌍
Canadian PM Mark Carney admits the G7's big plans for the developing world would've gone nowhere without India at the table; Declines to say anything on Nijjar.
💥 New Delhi isn't just invited, it's indispensable. pic.twitter.com/PWvaLlkr98
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) June 6, 2025
He further noted that both countries had agreed to continue their law enforcement dialogue, acknowledging the importance of accountability in bilateral relations. “This progress also formed part of the context in which I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi, and he has accepted,” Carney added.
According to Carney’s office, the two leaders agreed to remain in touch and expressed their eagerness to meet at the G7 summit, scheduled to take place from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta. India, while not a G7 member, can attend the summit as a guest nation.
Modi, in a post on X, confirmed receiving the call and thanked Carney for the invitation. He said India and Canada would work together “with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests.”
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. As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 6, 2025
Carney’s invitation is being viewed as a diplomatic overture that reflects the shifting tone in India-Canada relations following his election. Unlike former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose tenure saw a deterioration in ties, especially after the controversial allegations in 2023 regarding India’s alleged role in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Carney’s administration appears to be taking a more conciliatory approach.
Carney’s rise to power has led to a visible decline in Khalistan-related activities in Canada. His government has signalled that there will be no room for extremist influences, aligning with one of India’s long-standing concerns.
The new political climate also presents an opportunity to revitalise immigration channels, particularly for Indian students and skilled workers, which were disrupted in recent years. Carney had underscored the importance of the Canada-India relationship during his campaign, emphasising the countries’ strategic and economic connections and the need to address challenges through dialogue and mutual respect.
His symbolic participation in a Ram Navami event during the campaign was seen as outreach to the 1.8 million-strong Hindu-Canadian community, further distinguishing his stance from that of the Trudeau government.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Visits BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto, ON, Canada https://t.co/QBMcCryqih pic.twitter.com/hYEpL5Izh6
— BAPS (@BAPS) April 7, 2025
Amid global uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics, Carney has also stated that Canada would seek to reduce its economic reliance on the United States, particularly if Donald Trump returns to power. This strategic reorientation could position India, currently Canada’s tenth-largest trading partner, as a more significant economically.
With Carney at the helm, both nations appear poised for a reset, grounded in shared interests, strategic cooperation, and a renewed commitment to dialogue.
