Calgary — Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down at Calgary International Airport on Tuesday to attend the G7 Summit being held in Kananaskis Village, Alberta. This marks Modi’s first visit to Canada since 2015 and comes at a crucial time when both nations are seeking to reset strained diplomatic relations.
PM Modi was invited to the summit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, signalling a renewed effort by Ottawa to improve ties with New Delhi following recent tensions.
India’s Return to Canada: Diplomatic Significance
Though India is not a member of the G7, Prime Minister Modi has been regularly invited to attend the grouping’s Outreach Sessions since 2019 — a reflection of India’s rising global influence. The visit is especially significant as it comes in the wake of deteriorated India-Canada relations following the 2023 killing of pro-Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Tensions peaked in October last year when India expelled Canadian diplomats and recalled its own after accusations by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linked Indian officials to Nijjar’s death. India, in turn, accused Trudeau’s administration of allowing extremist elements to operate from Canadian soil.
However, with Mark Carney — an economist and political newcomer — taking over the reins as Canada’s Prime Minister in March 2025, both sides are now working towards diplomatic normalisation. Security-level talks have resumed, and efforts are underway to reappoint high commissioners.
“As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigor, guided by mutual respect and shared interests,” said PM Modi prior to his departure.
Modi’s G7 Agenda: Outreach and Bilaterals
During his 23-hour tour, PM Modi is expected to participate in key G7 Outreach Sessions and hold bilateral meetings with global leaders, including Carney, US President Donald Trump, and EU officials. The summit provides a high-stakes platform to address global challenges and reinforce India’s strategic partnerships.
The visit also follows Operation Sindoor, India’s counterterrorism operation targeting Pakistan-based terror infrastructure — a move likely to feature in discussions on global security.
G7 Summit: Focus on Global Flashpoints
This year’s G7 Summit is convening against a backdrop of rising geopolitical instability, with pressing issues on the table:
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Russia-Ukraine war
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Iran-Israel tensions
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US-China trade wars
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Climate change
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Energy security
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AI governance and global digital inclusion
Representatives from key global institutions — including the United Nations, IMF, and World Bank — are also attending the summit.
Economic Ties: Room for Growth
PM Modi’s visit also offers a chance to revive economic diplomacy. India and Canada share a strategic partnership since 2015, with bilateral trade reflecting both opportunities and imbalances.
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Goods Trade (2024): USD 8.6 billion
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India exports: USD 4.2 billion
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India imports: USD 4.4 billion
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Services Trade (2024): USD 14.3 billion
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India exports: USD 2.5 billion
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India imports: USD 11.8 billion
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With a large Indian diaspora in Canada and emerging cooperation in tech, education, and energy, both nations are poised to broaden their economic partnership.
