PM Modi Arrives in Calgary: Can G7 summit revive India-Canada relations?

India-Canada Ties: Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Calgary on Tuesday to attend the 51st G7 summit in the charming resort town of Kananaskis; the first visit of the prime minister in a decade. Hosted by Canadian PM Mark Carney, the summit forms a part of PM Modi's three-nation tour and also happens at a very significant stage after India-Canada ties have signaled early signs of recovery from years of diplomatic chill.

It is his sixth consecutive appearance at the G7 and one of his first major multilateral engagements since Operation Sindoor-a focused anti-terror campaign in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He is expected to join deliberations with global leaders on pressing issues of significance, such as energy security, AI-energy nexus, and innovation.

Focus on Global South and face-time with key global players

On arrival, PM Modi posted on X that his engagement at the summit would spotlight the priorities of the Global South. “Landed in Calgary, Canada, to take part in the G7 Summit. Will be meeting various leaders and sharing my thoughts on important global issues,” he said, adding that his outreach would include highlighting the needs and challenges of developing countries.

Landed in Calgary, Canada, to take part in the G7 Summit. Will be meeting various leaders at the Summit and sharing my thoughts on important global issues. Will also be emphasising the priorities of the Global South. pic.twitter.com/GJegQPilXe

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 17, 2025

PM Modi will attend Tuesday’s G7 Outreach Session, engage in bilateral talks with several leaders including host PM Mark Carney, and then depart for Croatia in the evening. The summit presents an opportunity for direct engagement with global heavyweights such as France’s Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s Keir Starmer, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and EU leadership.

The presence of leaders from countries like South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, South Korea and Ukraine further broadens the scope of dialogue, especially on pressing geopolitical issues like the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and Russia’s war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump, however, cut short his participation, citing a “much bigger” reason as tensions escalated in the Middle East.

India-Canada ties in spotlight after years of strain

PM Modi’s visit comes amid renewed attempts by Canada’s new leadership to repair ties with India. Bilateral relations had soured sharply under former PM Justin Trudeau, particularly after the killing of pro-Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. Following tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and accusations, engagement had nearly frozen between the two democracies.

Carney, a former central banker who entered politics earlier this year, is trying to turn a new page. India sees his outreach as a “positive signal,” and the Ministry of External Affairs recently said Modi’s meeting with Carney could help “explore pathways” to rebuild trust.

The Indian diaspora—comprising nearly 1.8 million people of Indian origin, around 770,000 Sikhs, and close to a million NRIs including international students—remains a key bridge between the two countries. However, recent Canadian immigration policies have impacted the inflow of Indian students and the finances of Canadian universities that heavily rely on them.

Strategic context: Terror attacks and diplomacy

Prime minister's diplomatic pitch at the G7 comes against the backdrop of rising regional tensions and internal security threats. His face-to-face interactions with G7 leaders are expected to touch upon India’s counter-terrorism concerns following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor.

This visit, though short, may well be a test case for whether diplomacy can undo the damage of the past two years and place the India-Canada relationship on a more pragmatic, trust-based footing.