What's happened
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed his attendance at the G7 summit in Canada from June 15 to 17, following an invitation from Prime Minister Mark Carney. This marks Modi's sixth consecutive participation, despite earlier indications he might be excluded due to strained relations between India and Canada.
What's behind the headline?
Diplomatic Shift
- Modi's acceptance of the G7 invitation signals a potential thaw in India-Canada relations, which have been tense since 2023.
- The invitation reflects pressure from G7 allies who recognize India's growing importance in global supply chains, especially amid U.S. trade tariffs on Canada.
- Modi's participation could enhance India's international standing and foster economic ties, particularly as Canada seeks to diversify its trade relationships.
Economic Implications
- With India projected to become the world's fourth-largest economy, its role in global trade is increasingly vital.
- Canada’s strategic pivot towards the Indo-Pacific region necessitates stronger ties with India, especially given the current geopolitical climate.
- The upcoming summit may serve as a platform for discussing trade agreements and cooperation in various sectors, including technology and defense.
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, Modi expressed optimism about the meeting, stating it would lead to 'renewed vigour' in bilateral ties. Bloomberg noted that Modi's invitation came after an initial exclusion, raising questions about India's credibility. The Japan Times highlighted that this will be India's 12th participation in the G7, emphasizing the significance of Modi's sixth consecutive invitation. The evolving dynamics between India and Canada are underscored by the backdrop of U.S. trade policies, as noted by Bloomberg, which suggests that Canada is recognizing India's indispensable role in global supply chains.
How we got here
Relations between India and Canada deteriorated in 2023 after allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This led to diplomatic expulsions and stalled trade talks. Modi's invitation to the G7 summit comes amid shifting global trade dynamics.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Modi attending the G7?
- How have India-Canada relations changed recently?
- What topics might be discussed at the summit?
Common question
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Why Was Modi Invited to the G7 Despite Tensions with Canada?
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to the G7 summit has raised eyebrows, especially given the ongoing tensions between India and Canada over the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This page explores the implications of this invitation, the reactions from various communities, and what it means for international relations.
More on these topics
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Narendra Damodardas Modi is an Indian politician serving as the 14th and current Prime Minister of India since 2014. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and is the Member of Parliament for Varanasi.
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Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest c
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.
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The Group of Seven is an international intergovernmental economic organization consisting of seven major developed countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, which are the largest IMF-advanced economies in
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Mark Joseph Carney OC is an economist and banker who served as the Governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 until 2013 and the Governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020.