- विज्ञापन -
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kananaskis, Canada, to attend the G7 Summit, following an invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. This marks PM Modi’s first visit to Canada in a decade and his first bilateral engagement with PM Carney.
The summit will provide a platform for Modi to engage with world leaders and represent the voice of the Global South. “The Summit will provide space for the exchange of views on pressing global issues and the priorities of the Global South. I also look forward to engaging with leaders from partner countries,” PM Modi said in a statement.
What is G7 and Its Member Countries?
The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal alliance of the world’s most advanced democracies. It consists of:
The G7 was originally formed in the 1970s to coordinate economic policy but has since expanded its focus to climate change, global health, security, technology, and more. It was briefly expanded to the G8 when Russia joined in 1997, but Russia was suspended in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea.
About the G7 Summit
The G7 Summit is an annual meeting of leaders from G7 countries. It serves as a forum to:
Each year, one G7 country hosts the summit and may invite non-member nations to participate as “outreach partners.” Canada is the host in 2025. The 51st G7 Summit was held from June 15 to 17, 2025, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. This marks the second time Kananaskis has hosted the summit, the first being in 2002.
India’s Visit Despite Being a Non-Member
India is not a permanent member of the G7. However, it is often invited as a special guest because of:
India’s inclusion helps the G7 broaden perspectives and foster more inclusive global decision-making.
India Attending G7 in the Past
India has participated in the G7 Summit more than ten times:
These invitations reflect India’s growing global influence and role in shaping key policy discussions.
Why Is India Invited When It’s Not A Permanent Member?
India is a major global player and a key voice in the Global South. India is the world’s 5th largest economy and a key pillar in global supply chains, especially for critical minerals, climate initiatives, and digital transformation. Countries hosting these summits want 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.
Canada’s PM Mark Carney has highlighted that inviting Modi “made sense” — it supports rebuilding ties, exploring cooperation on intelligence sharing and trade corridors (like IMEC), and reasserts mutual strategic importance.
India has regularly attended G7 summits since 2019, participating in outreach sessions as a special guest—especially on climate, digital transformation, biodiversity, and health.
How Is It Important for India-Canada Relations?
This will be PM Modi’s first meeting with Canadian PM Carney on the side-lines of the G-7 Summit in Kananaskis. The External Affairs Ministry sees this meeting as an opportunity to reset India-Canada relations, which are based on mutual respect, shared interests, and consideration for each other’s concerns. Notably, this will be PM Modi’s first visit to Canada in a decade.
About India-Canada Strained Relations in Past
India-Canada relations were strained when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in September 2023 that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India strongly denied the allegation, calling it “absurd,” and counter-accused Canada of harbouring separatist and radical elements that threatened Indian diplomats.
The Modi-Carney meeting is a crucial step towards mending the strained relationship, which had reached a historic low over the past year, marked by diplomatic expulsions and downgraded ties.
