G7 Summit Live Updates: PM Modi arrives in Canada, says ‘will emphasise priorities of Global South'
G7 Summit News LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Canada today for the 51st G7 (Group of Seven) Summit at Kananaskis, Alberta. During his visit, he is expected to meet several leaders and hold discussions on pressing global issues. 'Landed in Calgary, Canada, to take part in the G7 Summit. Will be meeting various leaders at the Summit and sharing my thoughts on important global issues. Will also be emphasising the priorities of the Global South,' PM Modi wrote in a post on X.
What's on India, Canada table? Both sides are working overtime to 'ring-fence' bilateral ties from the judicial process regarding Nijjar's killing. Relations between the two countries plummeted in 2023 after Justin Trudeau, the then Canadian Prime Minister, alleged 'potential' involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Nijjar – a charge India rejected as 'absurd' and 'motivated'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
19 minutes ago
- First Post
Modi's Cyprus gambit: How India is reshaping IMEC, countering Turkey's influence
While Turkey calibrates its regional aspirations, PM Modi's Cyprus overture may well foreshadow a new phase of geopolitical realignment in the eastern Mediterranean read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Cyprus on June 15th (Sunday) as part of the three-nation tour. The second leg of the multi-nations tour would be in Canada for the G7 summit, and the third leg to Croatia. This is the first visit by an Indian prime minister in the last 23 years to Cyprus, after the one by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002. During this visit, the Prime Minister is to hold talks with President Nikos Christodoulides and address business leaders at Limassol. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The prime minister Narendra Modi's visit does not appear to be just a routine stop. Through the prima facie terrain screening, it looks like the visit is designed to send a powerful message across the geopolitical chessboard. The visit aims to firmly integrate Cyprus into India's connectivity plans, particularly about the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), while also subtly redrawing the boundaries for Turkey. A New Delhi-Nicosia Axis: More Than Just Friendship Prime Minister Modi's visit transcended mere camaraderie and marks a significant upgrade in the India-Cyprus strategic partnership. Amidst the world of chaos and strategic positioning, Cyprus remains one of India's time-trusted and dependable friends. Cyprus supports India's permanent membership in the extended United Nations Security Council; vis-à-vis, it has also extended full support to the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, which helps India satisfy its energy needs and fosters economic growth and development. The island nation also supports India's position on Kashmir and expressed solidarity with India after a terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April, condemning the terrorist attack in unequivocal terms. The visit saw discussions focusing on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, security, and technology, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges. The prime minister also highlighted India's recent achievements, such as being one of the fastest-growing economies, a rise in civil aviation, an increase in ease of doing business, and India is destined to be the third-largest economy very soon. The prime minister also mentions that Cyprus is an excellent tourist destination. The most significant development was the inauguration of the India–Greece–Cyprus (IGC) Business and Investment Council. This trilateral platform is more than merely a business partnership. It is about forgoing new regional dynamics and leveraging collective strength in shipping, renewable energy, civil aviation and digital payment services. The Cypriot president said it is a 'historic visit' and a 'new chapter in a strategic partnership that knows no limits'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Cyprus: The Missing Link in the IMEC Puzzle The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was launched on September 9, 2023, during the G20 summit in New Delhi. The IMEC is India's ambitious blueprint for a seamless route connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Cyprus' strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean is indispensable for the full potential of IMEC. Cyprus is sitting aside key shipping lanes linking the Suez Canal to European ports. The deep-water harbours of Cyprus, particularly Limassol and Larnaca, are well suited to handle large-scale transhipment, offering a midpoint for cargo moving between IMEC's Gulf and European nodes. The emergence of Cyprus as an energy player with the discovery of offshore natural gas reserves satisfies the IMEC's energy diversification goals. This is also crucial as Europe is looking to reduce dependency on Russian gas. The integration of Cyprus into IMEC is crucial for fortifying the western terminus of the corridor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The IMEC is important for India, as this is the Eurasian alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), extending the benefits of this trade route to South Asia (Pakistan and Bangladesh if future spur routes integrate them), the Middle East, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean (Turkey if included), and Central Asia (depending on future expansion). However, the proactive engagement of India with Cyprus is not solely driven by economic pragmatism; rather, it carries significant geopolitical implications. The integration of Cyprus into IMEC is a subtle but unequivocal recognition of the Republic of Cyprus's sovereignty and integrity. The alignment of responsible global powers, like India, being a proponent of a rule-based international order sends a powerful global message. The progress of IMEC will give prominence to Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. Redrawing the Lines for Turkey In past years Turkey has deepened its military ties with Pakistan, being the second largest arms supplier to Pakistan after China. Turkey was also the only country among 39 members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to support Pakistan's removal from the grey list. Turkey constantly supports Pakistan's position on Kashmir, and Pakistan reciprocates the same on Ankara's claims on Cyprus. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India initiated operation 'Dost' (friend) to aid and rescue victims of disaster, coupled with medical supplies in the wake of the solid earthquakes that jolted Turkey and Syria in 2023. Whereas Turkey called India's calculated, precise and measured response to the Pahalgam terror attack 'provocative' and supported Pakistan's call for an investigation into the April 22 terrorist attack, despite knowing India has rejected Pakistan's demand for a joint investigation, learning from the experience of the Pathankot Airbase attack. The posturing of Turkey has not been taken well by New Delhi. Brahma Chellaney, an Indian geostrategist and professor of strategic studies at the Centre for Policy Research, writes, 'Turkey is likely to view Modi's visit to gas-rich Cyprus as a signal of India deepening ties with Ankara's regional rivals, including Greece, Armenia and Egypt'. The prime minister's visit to Cyprus is a subtle signal to Turkey on its growing alignment with Pakistan and constant criticism of India on the issue of Kashmir. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has always dismissed IMEC, stating no major trade corridor can bypass Turkey. By bolstering IMEC through Cyprus, India is directly challenging Turkey's claim of indispensability in East-West connectivity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The strategic embrace of Cyprus allows India to counterbalance Turkey's growing regional influence. India, by strengthening its relations with Turkey's regional rivals, including Greece, Armenia, Egypt, and now Cyprus, is reshaping the geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean. India's proactive engagement with Cyprus underscores a clear intent to play a significant role in shaping IMEC and signals to Turkey its intent to recalibrate regional geopolitics. By deepening ties with Nicosia, Delhi bolsters IMEC's viability, subtly challenging Ankara's assertive posturing in the Eastern Mediterranean. The diplomatic gambit underscores India's role as a proactive architect in Eurasian connectivity. While Turkey calibrates its regional aspirations, Modi's Cyprus overture may well foreshadow a new phase of geopolitical realignment in the eastern Mediterranean. Suhasini is an Assistant Professor at Bennett University (Times of India Group) and Pranjal Chaturvedi is a Doctoral Research Fellow at Bennett University. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
NDTV
23 minutes ago
- NDTV
In Pics: PM Modi In Canada To Attend G7 Summit, Hold Bilateral Meetings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Canada to attend the G7 Summit at Kananaskis, his first visit to the country in a decade. PM Modi, who is on a three-nation tour, arrived Monday evening in Canada from Cyprus at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. This marks PM Modi's first visit to Canada since the diplomatic ties between the two countries deteriorated following the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
31 minutes ago
- First Post
Another blow to Pak? How 113-km canal will divert waters from Indus river system to 3 Indian states
India is planning to build a 113 km-long canal to redirect the surplus flow of the three western rivers of the Indus water system from Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. A feasibility study is reportedly underway. This comes amid New Delhi's efforts to utilise its share of waters from the Indus river system, preventing the flow to Pakistan read more A view of Baglihar Dam, also known as Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project, on the Chenab river which flows from Kashmir into Pakistan, at Chanderkote in Jammu region May 6, 2025. File Photo/Reuters India has intensified efforts to better utilise its share of the waters from the Indus River system. As per reports, New Delhi is conducting a feasibility study to construct a 113 km-long canal to divert the surplus flow of the three western rivers of the Indus system from Jammu and Kashmir to its other northern states. The move comes amid tensions between India and Pakistan. After the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, New Delhi suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). India blames Pakistan for the terror attack, a charge denied by Islamabad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously vowed that Pakistan would not get water from rivers that India controls. 'Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for every terrorist attack … Pakistan's army will pay it. Pakistan's economy will pay it,' Modi said at a public event in Rajasthan in May. Let's take a closer look. India to build 113 km-long canal India is carrying out a feasibility study to build a 113 km-long canal for redirecting surplus flows from Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. As part of New Delhi's plan for inter-basin water transfers, the canal will divert water from the Indus River system, reported Times of India (TOI). According to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), India controls the eastern rivers of Sutlej, Ravi and Beas, while Pakistan controls the western rivers — Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus. The deal was brokered by the World Bank between New Delhi and Islamabad on September 19, 1960. The proposed canal will link Chenab with Sutlej, Ravi and Beas rivers, ensuring the full use of the eastern rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty. The step will also facilitate India to utilise its entire allocated share in the western rivers, stopping the additional flow of water to Pakistan, as per the newspaper report. The plan is in its initial stages, with the construction of the canal expected to be finished in the next three years, sources told NDTV. It is also being mulled to connect the canal to the Yamuna River, which would increase the length of the structure to 200 kilometres. If this happens, the water can then be transported to Gangasagar in Rajasthan via Yamuna. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Saturday (June 14), Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, 'Indus waters will be taken to Rajasthan's Ganganagar through canals within three years.' He further warned that Pakistan will be left 'craving for every drop of water'. The Chenab-Ravi-Beas-Sutlej link could connect the existing canal structures at 13 locations across Jammu, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, carrying water to the Indira Gandhi canal (Sutlej-Beas), TOI reported, citing sources. ALSO READ: After Baglihar, India may halt water flow from Kishanganga dam: Will Pakistan run dry? How the canal will benefit Indian states The proposed canal, which will divert water from J&K, is expected to benefit India's northern places, such as Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan. 'This internal reallocation would strengthen India's water resilience in the face of climate variability and changing rainfall patterns,' Uttam Sinha, senior fellow Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), told TOI. India tightens control on Indus water system After putting the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 'in abeyance', India has taken several measures to prevent the flow of water from the country to Pakistan. India has halted water flow to Pakistan through the Jammu and Kashmir's Baglihar dam on the Chenab River. It also began flushing and desilting of the reservoir of the Salal dam, the run-of-the-river hydroelectric project on the Chenab River. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Labourers walk on a bridge near the 450-megawatt hydropower project located at Baglihar Dam on the Chenab river which flows from Kashmir into Pakistan, at Chanderkote, about 145 km north of Jammu October 10, 2008. File Photo/Reuters India is mulling extending the length of the Ranbir canal on the Chenab to 120km. 'There is also a proposal to double the length of the existing Ranbir canal, drawing water from the Chenab, from 60 km to 120 km. Efforts will also be made based on the feasibility report to use Pratap canal to its full capacity,' an official was quoted as saying by TOI. This comes after PM Modi directed officials to speed up planning and execution of projects on the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus rivers — which come under Pakistan's control, Reuters reported last month. India is reportedly considering expanding the capacity of hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, from 3,360 megawatts (MW) to 12,000 MW. The Centre also plans to revive the multipurpose project on the Ujh river in J&K for irrigation and hydro power to better utilise Indus river waters. With inputs from agencies
