Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Canada for the first time in a decade to attend the 51st Group of Seven (G7) Summit, hosted at the scenic Kananaskis resort in the Canadian Rockies.
Although India is not a member of the G7 — a bloc of the world’s wealthiest democracies — Modi’s participation carries strategic significance, particularly against the backdrop of rising global tensions and strained India-Canada relations.
A Platform of Global Importance
Modi’s arrival in Canada on Monday evening (local time) marks his sixth consecutive G7 appearance and India’s 12th overall at the Outreach sessions since its first participation in 2003.
The summit, which brings together the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and Japan, is focusing this year on pressing issues such as energy security, technological innovation, and the interests of the Global South — a priority Modi is expected to emphasise during his interactions.
According to official statements, the Prime Minister will engage in multiple bilateral meetings and deliver a speech at the G7 Outreach Session, which typically includes invited nations selected by the host country based on global relevance and strategic alignment.
Geopolitical Context: Iran, Israel, and a Divided World
This year’s summit unfolds amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East, particularly following a series of retaliatory strikes between Israel and Iran. The situation took a dramatic turn after Israel’s aerial campaign on Iranian targets last Friday, prompting missile and drone responses from Tehran.
In a surprise move, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly departed the summit, citing the need to return to Washington.
Before leaving, Trump and fellow G7 leaders issued a joint statement urging de-escalation in Gaza and the broader region, and reaffirming that “Iran must never possess a nuclear weapon.” Trump also warned that time was running out for Iran to reach a new nuclear agreement, saying, “They have to make a deal — before it’s too late.”
India-Canada Relations: A Delicate Reset
Modi’s visit to Canada also offers a diplomatic opening to mend frayed bilateral relations following last year’s diplomatic fallout over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The incident triggered a tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats, and India suspended visas for Canadian citizens for several weeks.
However, the invitation to Modi by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — who succeeded Justin Trudeau after a controversial exit — is being seen as a gesture of goodwill and a potential turning point. India has indicated a willingness to re-engage based on “mutual trust and sensitivity.”
Trade and Diaspora Dimensions
Economic ties between the two countries remain modest but promising. Bilateral trade stood at approximately $12 billion in 2024, dwarfed by India’s trade volumes with the U.S. and other key partners.
With President Trump’s trade war policies forcing many countries to diversify their trade relationships, both Canada and India may be incentivized to deepen economic engagement.
Canada is home to a significant Indian diaspora, constituting nearly 4.5% of its population. This includes around 1.8 million Canadians of Indian origin — with a large Sikh community — and one million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
Indian students have been the largest group of international students in Canada, though recent immigration policy shifts have posed challenges.
A Summit with High Stakes
World leaders gathered in Canada in hopes of easing global flashpoints, only to find their agendas disrupted by the intensifying Iran-Israel conflict.
While the G7 managed to present a unified front on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and called for restraint, the path ahead remains uncertain.
For Prime Minister Modi, the summit offers a complex diplomatic stage: to champion the voice of the Global South, navigate fraught geopolitics, and quietly recalibrate one of India’s most complicated bilateral relationships in recent years.