Heavy security blanket in place as Canada hosts G7 summit
Calgary, Alberta: While Canadian law enforcement will not comment on specific measures related to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the G7 leaders' summit, they have said that the posture towards enduring safety of the dignitaries is updated based on an 'intelligence-led approach'.
Modi was a late invitee to the summit, and pro-Khalistan groups including Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) have already called for protests over his presence in Canada.
The security blanket over the region where the summit is being held is heavy and an exclusion zone has been enforced around the village of Kanananiskis which is hosting the leaders' summit from June 15 to June 17.
Responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of all G7 Summit participants, including foreign dignitaries and heads of state, lies with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG).
'While we understand there is public interest in certain attendees, the ISSG's focus remains on providing a secure environment for the Summit, ensuring it unfolds safely and respectfully for all participants and host communities. We do not comment on the specific security measures in place for any individual delegate. Our approach is intelligence-led, threat-informed, and guided by best practices for the protection of internationally protected persons,' a spokesperson said.
'We change our security posture as needed, based on an intelligence-led approach,' he responded, when asked about the invitation to Modi, which was only extended on June 6 by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
He added security agencies were 'aware' of all the demonstrations that were being planned.
ISSG includes the Calgary Police Service (CPS), Alberta Sheriffs, conservation officers, and the Canadian Armed Forces, with each contributing their specialised expertise and resources.
The three designated protest zones that have been established are far removed from the summit venue, with one in the neighouring resort of Banff and two in the adjoining city of Calgary.
'Any behaviour that is unlawful or jeopardises public safety will be addressed in accordance with the law,' CPS' G7 event security director Superintendent Joe Brar noted in a statement
The Royal Canadian Air Force started 'low-level night flying operations' in the area on June 5 and they will continue will June 18. These will include helicopter patrols.
Barricades have been placed to prevent entry into the exclusion zone, and a strong security presence has been established.
'To maintain a safe perimeter around summit venues and key locations, certain areas will be designated as restricted zones. These zones are designed to prevent unauthorised access and will be managed with controlled access points monitored by trained security personnel,' the ISSG stated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
19 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
PM Modi begins 3-nation visit to Cyprus, Canada, Croatia
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday his three-nation tour of Cyprus, Canada and Croatia will help expand ties in trade, investment and security and galvanise global understanding on tackling all forms of terrorism. The visit is being closely followed as Modi is set to hold his first meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the margins of the G7 Summit during the second leg of the tour. The meeting has been described by the Indian side as an opportunity to reset relations with Canada after a long-running diplomatic row over the killing of a Khalistani separatist in 2023. Modi arrived in Cyprus late on Sunday afternoon, becoming the first Indian premier to visit the Mediterranean country in 23 years. The decision to travel to Cyprus on the way to Canada was influenced by Turkey's support for Pakistan during last month's clashes with India. Turkey recognises Northern Cyprus, comprising territories seized by Turkish forces in 1974, while India has maintained close ties with the Republic of Cyprus. In a statement issued ahead of his departure from New Delhi, Modi described Cyprus as a close friend and important partner in the Mediterranean region and the European Union (EU). He said: 'The visit provides an opportunity to build upon the historical bonds and expand our ties in the areas of trade, investment, security, technology and promote people-to-people exchanges.' Modi is scheduled to hold talks with President Nikos Christodoulides in the capital Nicosia and address business leaders in Limassol. He is scheduled to travel from Cyprus to Kananaskis, Canada, on Monday to attend the outreach session of the G7 Summit on June 17. 'The summit will provide space for exchange of views on pressing global issues and the priorities of the Global South,' Modi said, adding that he planned to engage with leaders from partner countries in Canada. On June 18, Modi will visit Croatia for meetings with President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. 'Both our countries enjoy centuries-old close cultural links. As the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, it will open new avenues for bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest,' he said. This three-nation tour is an opportunity to thank partner countries 'for their steadfast support to India in our fight against cross-border terrorism, and to galvanise global understanding on tackling terrorism in all its forms and manifestations', Modi said. The Canada leg of the tour will be followed with most interest in view of the sharp deterioration in relations with India over the past two years. The external affairs ministry said Modi's meeting with Carney on the margins of the G7 Summit will be an opportunity to reset India-Canada relations based on 'mutual respect, shared interests and sensitivity to each other's concerns'. This will also be Modi's first visit to Canada in a decade. India-Canada ties nose-dived when former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged in September 2023 that Indian agents were linked to the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India dismissed the charge as 'absurd' and subsequently accused the Canadian government of giving space to separatists and radical elements that pose a threat to Indian diplomats and interests. As bilateral ties hit an all-time low over the past year, both sides expelled diplomats and downgraded ties. Modi and Carney had their first phone call on June 6, when the Indian leader accepted an invitation to attend the G7 Summit. The two sides are also close to appointing new envoys to each other's capitals. Following Carney's appointment on March 14, the two sides have been in touch at the level of leaders and senior officials. There have also been meetings between senior security officials, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the Indian side and the National Security Intelligence Advisor, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Canadian Security Intelligence Services on the Canadian side.
News18
21 minutes ago
- News18
PMO Team Visits Air India Crash Site; Hospital Says Body Handover May Take 3-4 More Days
Last Updated: Sources told CNN-News18 that the team, led by PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will remain in Gujarat for two days. A senior delegation from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) arrived in Ahmedabad on Sunday to supervise relief and rescue efforts in the aftermath of the deadly crash of an Air India flight. Sources told CNN-News18 that the team, led by PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will remain in Gujarat for two days. The visit underscores the Centre's serious approach to the tragic incident, which has claimed hundreds of lives and prompted a massive emergency response. According to officials, the PMO delegation will hold key meetings with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Director General of Police, and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home). The discussions will centre around inter-agency coordination, ongoing rescue operations, and logistical support for victims' families. Body Handover In 3-4 Days State Emergency Commissioner Alok Pandey on Sunday said that the process of handing over all bodies of the victims to their families may take another three to four days. Meanwhile, authorities confirmed the identities of 47 victims from the plane crash through DNA matching, and have so far handed over 24 bodies to their families, officials said. 'A total of 47 plane crash victims have been identified so far through DNA matching. Of these, bodies of 24 victims have been handed over to the respective families. These deceased were from Rajasthan and different parts of Gujarat," Additional Civil Superintendent Dr. Rajnish Patel told reporters. Further, they said that 22 death certificates have been issued so far, and the bodies have been handed over to the respective families. He added that 22 teams have been formed to assist the families with the insurance process to ensure they do not face financial difficulties. The London-bound AI 171 flight departed from Ahmedabad at 1:38 pm on June 12, but within minutes, it crashed into a medical hostel, claiming hundreds of lives. Of the 242 people on board, only one survived after Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a student hostel near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, losing altitude at 650 feet shortly after takeoff. First Published: June 15, 2025, 19:44 IST
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Iran-Israel war could hurt exports; increase freight rates: Exporters
The Iran-Israel conflict has further increased global economic uncertainties, impacting world trade, including India's exports, as it is expected to drive up both air and sea freight rates, exporters say. They said that India's exports to Europe and counters like Russia may get impacted due to this war. If the conflict continues for long, the movement of merchant ships through routes such as Strait of Hormuz between Iran and UAE, and Red Sea would be affected. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo "The war will further hurt global trade. The situation was gradually improving but now again the trade will be impacted. Our exports to Europe and countries like Russia may get hurt. Freight rates and insurance are expected to increase," Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S C Ralhan said. Indian export consignments gradually started moving through the Red Sea route but now again it would get impacted, he said. Live Events The immediate fallout of the conflict that started on early Friday or June 13 will be freight and insurance charges going up after a period of calm as Red Sea routes were slowly coming back to normal, Mumbai-based exporter and Technocraft Industries Ltd Founder Chairman S K Saraf said. If Iran-Israel war would continue for a week then the situation will be difficult for global trade, Saraf said, adding, "Iran and Israel too are our big trading partners". Cargo ships had gradually returned on Red Sea routes, saving them 15-20 days while moving to US and Europe from India and other parts of Asia. "The merchant ships will again avoid the Red Sea which will lead to escalation of freight costs that will have to be borne by traders. If war would go beyond a week, it can push freight rates by about 50 per cent," he added The present conflict that began with an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 had brought cargo movement through Red Sea routes to a halt due to attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial shipping. After the US intervened with attacks on the rebels, the firing on commercial ships stopped. "Everything depends on whether the conflict remains localised or expands to include other countries. Its impact will be first felt in global crude oil prices," FIEO Director General Ajay Sahai said. Apart from the Red Sea route, this time transit through Strait of Hormuz is another factor that is weighing on the world energy trade. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Around 21 per cent of global petroleum liquids consumption passes through that route. China, India, Japan, and South Korea were the top destinations for crude oil moving through the Strait, Oman also uses this route to supply liquefied natural gas to India. Only Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have operating pipelines that can circumvent the Strait of Hormuz. Last year, the situation around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial shipping route connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean, escalated due to attacks by Yemen-based Houthi militants. Around 80 per cent of India's merchandise trade with Europe passes through the Red Sea and substantial trade with the US also takes this route. Both these geographies account for 34 per cent of the country's total exports. The Red Sea strait is vital for 30 per cent of global container traffic and 12 per cent of world trade. India's exports to Israel have fallen sharply to USD 2.1 billion in 2024-25 from USD 4.5 billion in 2023-24. Imports from Israel came down to USD 1.6 billion in the last fiscal from USD 2.0 billion in 2023-24. Similarly, exports to Iran of USD 1.4 billion, which were at the same level in 2024-25 as in 2023-24, could also suffer. India's imports from Iran were at USD 441 million in FY25 as against USD 625 million in the previous year. The conflict adds to the pressure world trade was under after the US President Donald Trump announced high tariffs. The government is expected to hold meetings with exporters in the coming days to discuss the recent developments. Based on the tariff war impact, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has already said that the global trade will contract 0.2 per cent in 2025 as against the earlier projection of 2.7 per cent expansion. India's overall exports that had grown 6 per cent on year to USD 825 billion in 2024-25 were expected to touch USD 1 trillion by the end of this year, according to FIEO, and it could fall well short of this target due to geopolitical uncertainties.
