Canada’s Mark Carney Explains Why PM Modi Was Invited to G7 Despite Nijjar Tensions

When asked by the media about why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was being invited to the G7 Summit, even with the elevated tensions with India surrounding the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that India is integral to many supply chains.

PM Modi accepted PM Carney's invitation to attend the G7 Summit during a phone call on Friday.

Carney said that on Friday (local time) he invited PM Modi after consulting with the other G7 countries. As chair of the G7, Canada is going to host the G7 Summit in the Alberta province from June 15 to 17.

Mark Carney's comments on inviting PM Modi to the G7 Summit came after he was criticized by political opponents in Canada not to invite PM Modi while an investigation continues into alleged Indian involvement in the 2023 killing of a Khalistani separatist.

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"There are certain countries that should be at the table for those discussions," Carney said on Friday, when answering to a question about why PM Modi was invited in the light of the Nijjar incident.

"India is the fifth largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous country in the world. (It is) central to a number of those supply chains; (it is) at the heart of a number of those supply chains, so it makes sense," he reiterated.

Mark Carney said that at the G7 summit, the G7 countries will discuss important matters - security, etc. and added that “india's presence is critical.”

"Let's put the two aspects in context—first is, we are in the role—Canada's in the role of the G7 chair and those discussions as agreed with our G7 colleagues, include important discussions on energy, security, on digital future, critical minerals amongst others and partnerships actually in building infrastructure in the emerging and developing world," he said.

In response to the invitation, PM Modi said, “Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister @MarkJCarney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month. As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit.”

What did Carney say about the Nijjar killing?

Mark Carney, asked a direct question about the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023, said to reporters it would not be appropriate for him to comment because legal proceedings on the matter are ongoing.

Carney said the next G7 will touch on a number of important matters, including energy security, the future of digital, critical minerals, and partnerships for infrastructure development in emerging and developing countries.

Carney added that while he would not go into details, there had been an agreement with India to keep talking about issues related to law enforcement.

"Bilaterally, we have now agreed importantly to continue law enforcement dialogue. There has been some progress on that...recognises issues of accountability," he said.

India-Canada relations declined after the then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated in 2023 that India may have been involved in Nijjar's killing.

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When India made the allegation, it recalled its high commissioner in Ottawa, and five other diplomats in October 2023, after Ottawa associated them with the Nijjar case, and was reciprocally expelled from New Delhi.

Just in case May wins to reset relations, there's the scenario as canvassed above for running into problems in relations.

In the months just prior, agencies on either side for security clandestinely re-engaged, and the appointment for new high commissioners was being spoken of by both sides.

India, previously, claimed that Trudeau's government allowed pro-Khalistani groups to operate on Canadian soil without consequence.

After Trudeau's departure, New Delhi stated it was "hopeful for relations to improve," and it wanted to restore "long standing ties with Canada, based on mutual trust and sensitivity".

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