Modi not likely to attend G7 summit this year, his first miss since 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not expected to attend the G7 summit taking place in Canada from June 15 to 17 this year, ToI reported on June 2. Canada, the hosts of the event this year, has not formally extended an invitation for the event in Alberta, but in any case, it is unlikely that Modi would have traveled to North America, particularly due to uncertainty regarding how the newly elected Canadian government will address India's concerns regarding the actions of Khalistan separatists.

A spokesperson for the Canadian G7 declined to confirm whether Modi would receive an invitation, ToI's report (by Sachin Parashar) said. Should an invitation arrive at the last minute, India is likely to find it hard to accept due to logistical issues, potential disruptions from separatist groups, and the already strained relations

This marks the first occasion since 2019, when France hosted the summit, that Modi will not be in attendance at this gathering of the world's most advanced economies, which has previously been seen as a testament to India's expanding global influence.

So far, Canada has not officially released the names of the leaders invited to the summit, which will feature heads of government from major global economies. However, Canadian media reports indicate that Ottawa has extended invitations to the leaders of Australia, Ukraine, South Africa, and Brazil.

Last week, Sikh separatists urged the Carney administration to refrain from inviting the Indian Prime Minister, citing India's alleged lack of cooperation in the ongoing investigations into the assassination of separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Modi's absence from the G7 summit underscores the persistent diplomatic hurdles between India and Canada. Tensions between the two nations have remained escalated following accusations linked to the killing of Nijjar.

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had accused the Indian government of involvement in the murder but failed to provide any supporting evidence, a claim that India has repeatedly denied. This diplomatic conflict led to a significant downturn in relations, resulting in both nations expelling each other's diplomats due to perceived hostile actions.

India is optimistic that Carney will approach the situation more judiciously than Trudeau and has expressed its willingness to collaborate with Ottawa based on mutual respect and understanding.

New Delhi is pressing Canada to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats and to take decisive action against extremists and separatists engaged in anti-India activities. A bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit could have served as a valuable opportunity for the leaders to renew their commitment to restoring diplomatic relations.

While Carney has not explicitly addressed the Nijjar situation, he has mentioned his intentions to use trade as a means to reset relations.

Modi and Carney have both given hints that they would try and improve strained ties. Carney, however, still asserts that Canada is not to blame for the current bilateral situation.