Modi Accepts Canada’s G7 Invite in First Diplomatic Signal to PM Carney
India-Canada ties show signs of soft reset as PM Modi prepares to join G7 Summit in Alberta
New Delhi | June 6, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed he will travel to Canada for the G7 Summit, scheduled from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, following a personal invitation extended by Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. The announcement, made public Friday, marks Modi’s first direct diplomatic engagement with the Carney-led administration, and is being interpreted in diplomatic circles as a deliberate shift in tone after months of bilateral friction.
The invitation was extended during a phone call initiated by Carney earlier this week. Sources familiar with the conversation described it as “brief but constructive,” and focused primarily on the summit. Modi, in a post shared on social media platform X, said he “looked forward to meeting” Carney and working to strengthen India–Canada relations. He also congratulated Carney on taking office, adding that India values ties rooted in democratic principles and mutual respect.
The messaging, while understated, is telling.
Signs of diplomatic de-escalation
Relations between India and Canada have been uneasy, particularly over the past two years. Public disagreements over diaspora activism, intelligence matters, and consular cooperation had largely frozen high-level engagement. Several rounds of trade discussions stalled. Embassies, at one point, were functioning with skeleton teams. Trust had clearly eroded.
Carney’s outreach to Modi, barely weeks into his term, could be viewed as a signal — not of resolution, perhaps, but of readiness to talk. One senior official at the Ministry of External Affairs, speaking off-record, described it as “a window quietly opening again.”
“Nothing is normal yet,” the official said. “But things are less stuck than they were even a month ago.”
India’s growing profile at G7 forums
Though India is not a permanent member of the G7, it has been invited repeatedly over the past few years. The inclusion of India at such forums is no longer viewed as symbolic. New Delhi has leveraged these platforms to speak on supply chain resilience, climate finance, and equitable digital transitions — areas where its domestic experiences resonate globally.
This year’s G7, under Canada’s presidency, is expected to focus heavily on AI governance, geopolitical realignments, and global public health. Modi’s presence offers both visibility and strategic input, particularly as India positions itself as a voice for emerging economies.
The Economic Times noted that Modi’s trip aligns with India’s broader push for “equity-driven global forums,” a theme that also featured heavily during India’s G20 presidency last year. According to Hindustan Times, this summit could also serve as a soft testing ground for India-Canada bilateral recalibration, though no formal meeting between the two prime ministers has been confirmed as yet.
Mark Carney steps onto the global stage
For Carney, a globally respected economist who served as governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, this G7 Summit is a debut of sorts in political diplomacy. He enters office with a reputation for being pragmatic, technically sharp, and fluent in multilateral affairs.
His early move to engage India stands out.
“It’s not a small thing, this invite,” said a Canadian official familiar with the summit planning. “There were questions about how he would handle South Asia, particularly India, given the tense context he’s inherited. This shows he’s willing to re-engage.”
The official also noted that the outreach to Modi was discussed internally as part of a broader effort to reset Canada’s diplomatic tone across key regions. The timing, too, is meaningful — the call came before any official G7 agenda was released, indicating that Carney views India’s presence as foundational to the summit’s credibility.
Stakes for both sides
What comes of the visit remains to be seen. Modi’s participation ensures that India has a seat — if not at the core — then at the heart of global conversation during a particularly volatile geopolitical phase. For Carney, the ability to host one of the Global South’s most prominent leaders may offer legitimacy to his leadership beyond domestic borders.
As per NDTV, preparations for the Indian delegation’s visit are underway, with external affairs officials coordinating logistics and protocol with their Canadian counterparts. It is not yet clear whether Modi will hold any sideline talks with G7 heads beyond the main sessions, but expectations are high that India’s presence will weigh heavily on climate discussions and tech ethics — two areas where India has offered model frameworks in recent years.
Whether this summit becomes the pivot for a more functional India–Canada relationship, or remains a one-off moment of courtesy, will depend largely on what follows after the cameras are packed up and communiqués signed. But for now, a phone call — and a handshake later this month — appears to be where the story begins again.
Source: Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, NDTV & PM Narendra Modi X Account
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Amit Singh is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, where he covers the intricate dynamics of Indian politics and global geopolitical shifts. Currently pursuing his studies at Delhi University, Amit brings a keen analytical mind and a passion for factual reporting to his daily coverage, providing readers with well-researched insights into the forces shaping national and international affairs.
- Amit Singhhttps://hindustanherald.com/authors/amit_s/
- Amit Singhhttps://hindustanherald.com/authors/amit_s/
- Amit Singhhttps://hindustanherald.com/authors/amit_s/
- Amit Singhhttps://hindustanherald.com/authors/amit_s/
