Responding to media questions on why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to the G7 Summit despite ongoing tensions related to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that India plays a central role in several global supply chains.
Prime Minister Modi accepted Carney’s invitation to attend the G7 Summit during a phone conversation on Friday. The summit is scheduled to be held in Canada’s Alberta province from June 15 to 17, with Canada serving as the current chair of the G7. Carney clarified that the invitation to Modi was extended after consulting with other G7 member nations. His comments came amid criticism from domestic political opponents who questioned the move, citing the continuing investigation into alleged Indian links to Nijjar’s killing in 2023.
Addressing the matter, Carney said, “There are certain countries that should be at the table for those discussions. India is the fifth-largest economy in the world and effectively the most populous country. It is central to a number of those supply chains, so it makes sense.”
Carney emphasised that India’s participation in the G7 Summit is essential, especially given the agenda. The upcoming discussions among G7 nations are expected to cover critical topics such as energy security, the digital future, critical minerals, and partnerships for infrastructure development in emerging and developing countries.
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"Let's put the two aspects in context," Carney said. "First is, we are in the role—Canada's in the role of the G7 chair. These discussions, as agreed with our G7 colleagues, include important issues like energy, security, digital transformation, and critical minerals. It also includes building partnerships in infrastructure with emerging and developing nations."
Following the invitation, Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the gesture. In a post on X, he said, “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 will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit.”
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When asked directly about the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Carney declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of legal proceedings in the case. However, he confirmed that India and Canada had agreed to continue their dialogue on law enforcement cooperation. "Bilaterally, we have now agreed importantly to continue law enforcement dialogue. There has been some progress on that... recognises issues of accountability," he noted.
Despite this diplomatic outreach, Carney faced criticism from Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), which called the decision to invite PM Modi “profoundly troubling.”
Tensions between India and Canada escalated sharply after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in 2023 that Indian agents may have been involved in Nijjar’s killing. In response, India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats in October that year, following Canada’s attempts to link them to the case. New Delhi also expelled Canadian diplomats in a tit-for-tat move.
However, Carney’s victory in the April 2025 parliamentary elections raised hopes for a possible thaw in India-Canada relations. Security agencies from both sides have resumed communication, and both countries are reportedly considering appointing new high commissioners. India has previously accused the Trudeau administration of allowing pro-Khalistani groups to operate freely within Canada. Following Trudeau’s exit from office, the Indian government expressed a desire to restore ties based on mutual trust and sensitivity.
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