The upcoming G7 summit in Canada, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contentious invitation, will serve as a test of Canadian resilience in diplomacy. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to host Modi amidst serious allegations highlights the challenges of maintaining international relations while upholding domestic justice.
Carney, when confronted by the media, deliberately avoided expressing an opinion on Modi’s potential involvement in the Nijjar assassination. He stressed the ongoing legal process in Canada as the reason for his silence, deeming it inappropriate to comment publicly. Four Indian nationals have been charged in connection with Nijjar’s murder, a case that has already led to significant diplomatic fallout.
The G7 summit, scheduled for June 15-17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, is a key international gathering. Carney justified Modi’s invitation by highlighting India’s economic and demographic significance, calling it the “fifth largest economy in the world” and “most populous country,” and central to global supply chains. He argued that engaging with India’s leader is essential for discussing critical topics like energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.
This controversial invitation also aligns with Carney’s new government’s efforts to ease tensions with other nations, including normalizing communication with China and resolving trade disputes with the US. However, critics like the World Sikh Organization argue that this approach compromises Canadian values, making the summit a significant test of Canada’s diplomatic fortitude.