India weighs progress in ties with Canada before G7 summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the G 7 summit scheduled to be held at Kananaskis in Canada on June 15-17 might hinge on concrete signs of bilateral relations with Ottawa improving in the wake of a new Liberal Party government headed by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The G 7 invitation to India is extended by the host country and there is no word so far. But while it is for the host to issue invitations, India is weighing its options carefully. Modi has attended every G 7 summit since 2019.

Around the same time last year, the Prime Minister was in Italy not long after being re-elected for the third time. The replacement of Justin Trudeau as PM has provided a breather and an opportunity to repair ties but the relationship is yet to normalise.

Though the G 7 invitation is an institutional process, India might weigh Canada’s preparedness to respond to specific concerns over individuals and Khalistani organisations who are a threat to India. These individuals, some associated with the Sikhs For Justice run by Gurpatwant Pannun, have engaged in criminal activities in India and targeted one another. Defacement of Hindu temples, aggressive anti-India demonstrations and intimidation of Indian diplomats has not even drawn mild censure from the Canadian government.

India would look for progress on trade as well with a bilateral pact under negotiations since 2010. A positive approach to trade would help bridge some of the mistrust that has bedevilled relations.

The G 7 summit  provides an opportunity to talk about India and take part in important outreach events. It is also a moment to connect with other leaders including United States President Donald Trump. Modi has usually utilised the forum for bilateral pull aways and discussions on important areas such as artificial intelligence and energy

There is no official word on the PM’s visit to Canada but the view in government seems to be that the decision is not routine given the state of India-Canada ties that plummeted after Trudeau accused India of carrying out the assassination of a Khalistani activist Hardeep Nijjar.

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