Opinion India’s invitation to G7 reflects Canada’s desire to reset ties

However, the 2025 invitation carries added significance, having arrived against the backdrop of a strained relationship. The invite — conveyed via a call by Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister, Mark Carney — marks a shift in bilateral dynamics after ties reached a nadir under Justin Trudeau’s tenure. Although the invitation came through at the eleventh hour, it is expected to play a crucial role in rebuilding the relationship as PM Modi visits Canada next week. It represents a promising start to the reset under Carney.

Trudeau, who had accused India of involvement in the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, precipitated the worst diplomatic fallout in the history of India–Canada relations. Carney, however — an economist by training — recognises the trade potential between the two nations, especially as Canada seeks to diversify its partnerships and reduce over-reliance on the United States. Following a congratulatory tweet from PM Modi and calls between the foreign ministers of both countries, the G7 invitation appears a natural step forward in mending ties.

Carney, who still relies on much of the same party machinery as Trudeau, is navigating a diplomatic tightrope between domestic political pressures and international strategic considerations. When asked about his rationale for inviting India despite an ongoing Canadian investigation involving Indian officials, he pointed to India’s immense economic significance, describing it as the “fifth-largest economy in the world” and “effectively the most populous country.” Beyond its size, he highlighted India’s strategic importance, particularly its centrality to global supply chains. He stressed that India’s presence is “essential for discussions on global priorities such as energy security, critical minerals, and infrastructure partnerships.” He also acknowledged the “strong push from the other G7 countries to have India at the table.”

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre endorsed the invitation, emphasising the need to promote Canadian natural gas, civilian nuclear technology, and other resource projects in India, as well as the importance of collaboration on trade and security. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, also a Conservative, recently urged Canada to renew its ties with India. Arguing that India is an indispensable partner in a volatile world, Harper recommended that all Canadian political parties sever ties with activists advocating for a separate Sikh nation. This illustrates bipartisan support for strengthening India-Canada relations, though the New Democratic Party — until recently led by Jagmeet Singh — has criticised Carney’s invitation to India as inappropriate.

Carney has so far handled the situation adeptly, assuring critics that the Nijjar investigation remains ongoing and that India’s participation in the G7 is both a diplomatic necessity and a geopolitical imperative, without obstructing legal processes. Nevertheless, organisations such as Sikhs for Justice and the World Sikh Organisation have launched online campaigns across Canada, demanding that the government rescind the invitation and preparing to stage protests at the G7 venue during PM Modi’s visit. The real test of Carney’s political acumen will lie in how he manages these disruptions while preserving the momentum towards reconciliation.

Carney’s efforts to de-hyphenate domestic politics from international diplomacy could go a long way in repairing relations. At a time when the West is grappling with China, the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, and rising uncertainty from a potential Trump return, India’s presence at the G7 serves as a stabilising factor. India is not only a counterbalance to China in the Indo-Pacific but is also increasingly acting as a bridge between the West and the Global South. Carney’s invitation, therefore, signals both a bold move by Canada and the growing weight of India’s global credentials as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, whose participation is critical to the effective functioning of multilateral forums.

Vandana Mishra is Professor, Centre for Political studies , School of Social Sciences, JNU. Radhika Gupta is a Doctoral Research Scholar, Centre for the Study of the Americas, School of International Studies, JNU