Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has firmly defended his decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming G7 Summit, calling India “the fifth-largest economy” and “central to a number of critical global supply chains.” His remarks come amid political criticism over India’s participation in light of the ongoing probe into the 2023 killing of pro-Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the G7 meeting, to be held in Alberta, Canada from June 15–17, Carney said it was important that nations like India are present for global-level discussions. “There are certain countries that should be at the table for those discussions,” Carney said. “India is effectively the most populous country in the world and at the heart of several essential supply chains—so it makes sense.”
The invitation to PM Modi has sparked criticism from opposition leaders in Canada, who argue that it undermines the seriousness of the Nijjar case. However, Carney maintained that it would be inappropriate for him to comment further on the issue as “the legal process is underway.”
The G7 summit, under Canada’s presidency this year, will focus on several crucial global issues including:
- Energy security
- Digital transformation
- Critical mineral supply
- Global infrastructure partnerships, particularly in emerging and developing economies
Carney also revealed that Modi’s invitation followed consultations with other G7 member nations, underscoring that India's economic and geopolitical weight could not be overlooked.
During a phone call on Friday, PM Modi formally accepted Carney’s invitation to attend the high-level summit.
