Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Calgary, Canada, to participate in the G7 Summit at Kananaskis, scheduled for June 16–17. This marks his first trip to Canada in ten years, symbolizing a pivotal moment in bilateral relations. His arrival from Cyprus on Monday evening local time makes this the third stop in his ongoing three-nation tour. The 2025 summit will be Modi’s sixth straight G7 appearance.
The invitation for Modi’s attendance came from Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is presiding over this year’s G7 as Canada holds the group’s rotating presidency. With the world watching closely, key agenda topics include energy security, global innovation, and advancements in technology.
This visit is especially significant as it’s Modi’s first international outing since the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s military response via Operation Sindoor. The operation resulted in the destruction of nine terror infrastructure hubs across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Following the incident, India also deployed multiple diplomatic delegations across 33 major world capitals to spotlight Pakistan’s connections to terrorism. Modi may echo these sentiments during his global engagements in Canada.
Perhaps even more notable is the changing tone of India-Canada relations. This is Modi’s first Canadian visit since ties soured under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, particularly after allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. While India categorically denied the claims, it has long criticized Canada for giving space to separatist factions.
Carney, in a strong diplomatic shift, has expressed a desire to repair strained ties. He acknowledged India’s global stature—being the fifth-largest economy and a key player in supply chains—as part of his reasoning behind extending the G7 invitation. He also noted new progress in bilateral cooperation, including a renewed law enforcement dialogue.
The meeting between Modi and Carney will be their first, signaling a possible thaw in tensions. With global and regional dynamics evolving rapidly, the summit offers India a stage not only to advocate its strategic interests but also to engage with global powers on pressing issues of mutual concern.
