Modi’s G7 Invitation Sparks Outcry in Canada Amidst Diplomatic Chill

A diplomatic storm is brewing in Canada following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming G7 summit. The invitation is met with strong opposition, particularly from the World Sikh Organization, given the ongoing Canadian police investigation that points to the Indian government’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This move is seen by many as a compromise of Canadian principles.
Carney, when pressed by reporters, refused to comment on whether he believed Modi had a role in Nijjar’s murder, citing an active and advanced legal process in Canada. He stressed that making such remarks would be inappropriate. The charges laid against four Indian nationals in connection with the murder underscore the severity of the allegations and the deep rift it has created between Ottawa and New Delhi.
The G7 summit, scheduled for mid-June in Alberta, is a gathering of major global leaders. Carney defended his controversial invite by emphasizing India’s considerable global influence. He cited India’s status as the world’s fifth-largest economy and most populous nation, along with its centrality to global supply chains, as reasons for needing to engage its leader on crucial matters like energy, AI, and critical minerals.
Beyond the India-Canada dynamic, Carney’s nascent administration is actively working to de-escalate international tensions. This includes efforts to normalize communications with China following a costly trade dispute and engaging with the US to lift tariffs on Canadian goods. However, the decision to host Modi under the current circumstances has drawn sharp criticism for potentially undermining Canada’s stance on foreign interference and transnational repression.