PM NARENDRA MODI's PARTICIPATION IN G7 SUMMIT WILL BENEFIT BOTH INDIA AND CANADA

PM Narendra Modi arrived in Canada on June 16, 2025, at the invitation of PM Mark Carney to attend the G7 meeting, being held from June 15 to 17, 2025, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. Mark Carney received Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrived at the venue of the G7 Summit.  This is his sixth consecutive participation in the G-7 Summit and his first visit to Canada since 2015. PM Modi will be seen with many global leaders on this international platform. 

The Prime Minister attended the Outreach Sessions at the G7 Summit. The G7 Outreach Summit will focus on three central themes- "Protecting our communities around the world", "Building energy security and accelerating the digital transition", and "Securing the partnerships of the future".

 

Speaking at the G7 Summit, PM Modi stressed on global governance to address concerns related to artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation. In the era of AI, close collaboration between critical minerals and technology is essential. We have to make their supply chains safe and resilient. 

PM Modi highlighted the need to ensure energy security for all through a sustainable and green pathway and elaborated upon India's global initiatives. AI itself is an energy-intensive technology. If there is any way to sustainably fulfill the energy requirements of a technology-driven society, it is through renewable energy. 

 

Though India is not a member of the G7, Prime Minister Modi has been invited to the grouping's meetings consistently since 2019. The invitation reflects India's growing importance in Canada and the world.

G7 SUMMIT AGENDA

A group of seven nations gathered for a summit has agreed on six joint statements on subjects such as critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and wildfires. The other topics they agreed on were quantum computing, migrant smuggling, and transnational repression. 

 

Indisputably, the G7 summit comes amidst rising geopolitical tensions, including escalating tensions in the Middle East in the wake of the strikes between Iran and Israel, as well as a trade war triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariff policies. The summit is expected to deliberate on pressing challenges facing the globe, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia.

WHAT IS THE G7 ORGANIZATION

G7 is a group of 7 developed and rich countries of the world, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, and America. It is also called Group of Seven. It started during the Cold War when on one side the Soviet Union and its supporting countries formed a group named Warsaw. On the other side were the industrial and developed countries of the West.

 

In 1975, the anti-left Western countries France, Italy, West Germany (at that time Germany was divided into two parts), America, Britain, and Japan came together on one platform. They aimed to sit together and discuss economic issues related to their interests.

 

This informal organization started from then. Initially, there were 6 countries, in 1976 it became G7 after Canada joined. After this Russia was added. India is participating in this summit as a guest.

 

As part of the summit, leaders hold closed-door discussions on issues like the economy, climate change, global health, conflicts, and AI. They negotiate joint declarations, known as communiqués, which summarise their shared commitments.

 

Each year, one member country hosts the G7 summit, setting the agenda and inviting guests, including countries like India, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia.

BILATERAL MEETINGS WITH THE CANADIAN PM AND SEVERAL OTHER LEADERS FROM G7 NATIONS AND GUEST COUNTRIES. 

India and Canada are now aiming to resolve the differences with Prime Minister Mark Carney holding the top post in the Canadian government. Keeping this in view, the talks between Prime Minister Modi and his Canadian counterpart focused on reinvigorating the India-Canada partnership. India and Canada will work together with renewed vigor, guided by mutual respect and shared interests.

 

At the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a "fruitful meeting" with Canadian PM Mark Carney. They agreed to deepen cooperation in key areas such as trade, energy, space, critical minerals, fertilizers, and more. The two leaders decided with a view to return to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries. The meeting between the two leaders was very positive and constructive.

 

Prime Minister Modi held meetings with leaders of several countries with the aim of strengthening diplomatic and economic relations. PM Modi met Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G-7 Summit.

 

On the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, PM Modi held a "productive" conversation with the European Council President António Costa. He also held a "fruitful" discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

WHY IS INDIA INVITED WHEN IT IS NOT A PERMANENT MEMBER?

India is a major global player and a major voice in the Global South. India is the world's 5th largest economy and is a key pillar in global supply chains, especially for critical minerals, climate initiatives, and digital transformation. Countries hosting these summits seek India's input for balanced global solutions.

 

The G7 outreach also aims to bridge representation gaps. Inviting PM Modi ensures perspectives from the Global South are included — especially on issues like food security, energy access, climate justice, and pandemic resilience.

 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has "justified" his decision to invite Modi - saying it supports rebuilding relations, exploring cooperation on intelligence sharing and trade corridors (such as IMEC), and reaffirms mutual strategic importance.

 

India has been regularly participating in outreach sessions at G7 summits as a guest since 2019 - notably on climate, digital transformation, biodiversity and health.

THERE IS GLOBAL ATTENTION ON THIS VISIT BECAUSE INDIA-CANADA RELATIONS HAVE SOURED FOR SOME TIME.

In 2023, then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sparked a controversy by saying that Indian government agents might have played a role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India had rejected these allegations outright, calling them absurd and politically motivated.

 

After this, both the countries downgraded their diplomatic relations. In the past few months, security officials from India and Canada have resumed contact and both sides are considering the possibility of appointing new High Commissioners.    

 

More than 7 lakh Sikhs live in Canada. After India, the largest number of Sikhs live here. There are ministers in the Canadian government who support the Khalistani movement. There is a big lobby in Canada that opposes India and does not want India-Canada relations to improve.

 

According to AK Pasha, Professor of International Relations at JNU, 'This same lobby put pressure on the Canadian government not to invite PM Modi to the summit. The Khalistani movement is still strong in Canada.

 

India has been demanding that Canada should take strict action against Khalistan supporters, but the lack of concrete action on Canada’s part is further complicating the issue.

INDIAN DIASPORA PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN THE CANADIAN ECONOMY

The Indian diaspora has a stake in the Canadian economy. It includes doctors, engineers, and students. Every Indian wants the relations between Canada and India to improve. This will lead to progress and development of Canada and Canada also understands this. This is a very good thing for both countries.

 

India is the youngest country in the world. Both countries can take advantage of the natural resources that Canada has and the things that are here by working together. India is a developing economy. There is a great need for energy right now and Canada has that energy. Both countries are complementary to each other in some areas. The Canada-India partnership should be good.

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO FIND A SOLUTION TO ACHIEVE PEACE

On Prime Minister Modi's participation in the G-7 summit in Canada, Canada-based journalist Harpreet Singh said, "The world is going through a crucial phase and the G-7 meeting in Alberta will be a great opportunity for world leaders to discuss and find solutions to achieve peace. I hope that everything will be resolved during this meeting and a new path will be chosen where both countries will develop and prosper. We need to build better relations in trade, technology, and investment. Both India and Canada can prosper from this."

 

The new PM of Canada has taken a very good initiative. Our moral relations were strained. What the PMs of both countries have discussed will take the relations between the two countries forward and strengthen them. India was nowhere in the last 11 years. But, PM Narendra Modi has made India the fourth strongest economy. All countries want to do business with India. India is a developing economy. There is a great need for energy right now and Canada has that energy.

 

Naresh Chavda, Director of the People of Indian Origin Chamber of Commerce and Industry Canada said that Prime Minister Modi’s presence at the G7 signals a renewed commitment to deepening Indo-Canadian economic ties. With shared democratic values and complementary strengths, Canada and India are natural trade partners for the future.