Canadian PM reveals why he invited PM Modi to G7 meet
Hours after inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to this month's G7 meet in Alberta, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Friday pointed to India's status as the fifth-largest economy as a reason for the invite. Canada's action is seen as a step toward improving ties between the two countries, which had seen a sharp dip under the previous prime minister Justin Trudeau.
'As chair of the G7, it is important to invite the most important countries to attend to talk about important issues such as energy, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and India is really at the very centre of global supply chains,' Carney said during a news conference on Parliament Hill, as reported by The Globe and Mail.
Carney also said that the most populous country in the world, with the fifth largest economy, should be present at the year's G7.
The two countries had downgraded diplomatic ties after Justin Trudeau, the then Canadian PM, set off a political storm in 2023 when he alleged 'potential' involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of a Canada-based Khalistan separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India rejected the charges as 'absurd' and 'motivated'.
On Friday, Carney declined to say whether he believed India had any involvement in Nijjar's death. 'There is a legal process that is literally under way and quite advanced in Canada, and it's never appropriate to make comments with respect to those legal processes,' Carney told.
Carney, however, added that Canada and India had agreed to 'continued law enforcement dialogue,' though he did not confirm whether this includes cooperation in the Nijjar investigation.
PM Modi had on Friday confirmed his attendance at the G7 in a post on X, saying he congratulated Carney on his election victory and that 'India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests.'
'Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister Mark J Carney 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,' PM Modi said in a post on X.
Usually, G7 host countries invite some countries as guest countries or outreach partners. Canada had so far invited Ukraine and Australia.
India has been invited to every G7 Summit since 2019. Barring 2020 when the G7 huddle was cancelled by the US, the host country, Modi has attended every Summit since August 2019.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
No tolerance for terror, allies must understand, says India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar reiterated India's 'zero tolerance' policy for terrorism and the need for decisive international action against terror and those who support it during meetings with British foreign secretary David Lammy on Saturday. Modi said India valued Britain's backing for the fight against cross-border terrorism while Jaishankar said India's partners should understand the 'zero tolerance' policy for terrorism as the country will never accept the perpetrators of terrorism being treated at par with victims. The remarks by the top Indian leadership, made against the backdrop of several countries hyphenating India and Pakistan during last month's military clashes, reiterated to the world community New Delhi's new approach to fighting cross-border terrorism backed by Islamabad. Britain's foreign office had said before Lammy's meeting with Indian interlocutors that he would address how the current peace between India and Pakistan can be supported for regional stability. ALSO READ | UK expresses support for India's fight against cross-border terrorism Modi said in a social media post after meeting Lammy that he values 'UK's support for India's fight against cross-border terrorism'. He also appreciated Lammy's 'substantive contribution to the remarkable progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, further strengthened by the recently concluded FTA'. A statement from the external affairs ministry said Modi had 'underscored the need for a decisive international action against terrorism and those who support it' - an apparent reference to Pakistan. The two leaders discussed regional and global issues and Lammy 'strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed support for India's fight against cross-border terrorism', the statement said. Modi also expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the free trade agreement (FTA) and the double contribution convention and expressed satisfaction at the deepening of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. He welcomed continued collaboration under the Technology Security Initiative (TSI), especially its potential to 'shape trusted and secure innovation ecosystems'. Modi also reiterated his invitation to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to visit India. ALSO READ | Terrorism no proxy war, but planned one: Modi Lammy arrived in New Delhi on Saturday morning for meetings to review the bilateral partnership, especially trade and strategic ties, a month after India and the UK finalised the FTA. Lammy had visited Pakistan shortly after New Delhi and Islamabad reached an understanding on halting military actions on May 10. In his opening remarks at the meeting with Lammy, Jaishankar thanked the UK government for the strong condemnation of the 'barbaric terrorist attack' in Pahalgam and its support to India in the fight against terror. 'We practice a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and expect our partners to understand it, and we will never countenance perpetrators of evil being put at par with its victims,' he said. Lammy responded by referring to the 'horrific terrorist attack' and said Prime Minister Starmer had asked him to convey the 'deep condolences of the UK and a hand of friendship with India and support as we deal with the terrorism threat in a comprehensive manner'. Jaishankar described the finalisation of the FTA and double contribution convention as a milestone that will boost two-way trade and investment and have a 'positive effect on other strategic aspects' of bilateral relations, besides strengthening supply and value chains. ALSO READ | 'New normal': Shashi Tharoor on India's approach towards terrorism with Operation Sindoor He also referred to other significant initiatives that have seen progress, such as the TSI for deeper collaboration in strategic sectors such as AI, semiconductors, telecom, quantum computing, health technology, critical minerals and advanced materials. The TSI, coordinated by the national security advisers of India and the UK, was launched during Lammy's last visit to New Delhi in July 2024. 'We have also launched the Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue, the first meeting of which was held…this week. This will enhance, among others, the TSI's effectiveness in promoting trade in critical and emerging technologies, including the resolution of relevant licencing or regulatory issues,' Jaishankar said. The India-UK infrastructure financial bridge can unlock quality long-term capital flows from Britain to India and contribute to infrastructure development, and there is also good collaboration in the education sector with many UK universities planning to establish campuses in India, he said. Lammy described the finalisation of the FTA as Britain winning a 'trophy' and the beginning of a new era in bilateral ties since it is expected to increase will trade by £25.5 billion. He also conveyed the UK's interest in enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as trade, investment, defence and security, technology, innovation and clean energy. Lammy also met commerce minister Piyush Goyal and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. A readout from Britain's foreign office said bolstering economic and migration ties and delivering growth opportunities for British businesses topped the agenda for Lammy's visit. Lammy also focused on the migration partnership, including 'work on safeguarding citizens and securing borders in both countries'. The readout added, 'Addressing migration remains a top priority for the government - the Foreign Secretary is focused on working internationally with global partners to secure the UK's borders at home.' Lammy's visit would also prepare the grounds for a visit by Starmer to India for the formal signing of the FTA. Both countries are currently involved in the legal scrubbing of the FTA, a process expected to be completed in three months. During 2023-24, India was the UK's second largest source of investments in terms of number of projects for the fifth consecutive year. India was the UK's 11th largest trading partner in 2024, accounting for 2.4% of total British trade, and two-way trade in goods and services was worth nearly $57 billion in 2024. The FTA is expected to increase bilateral trade by $34 billion a year from 2040. Within a decade of the deal being implemented, 85% of British products will become tariff-free in India. Indian tariffs on alcohol will be cut from 150% to 75%, falling to 40% by the 10th year of the deal. India will also cut automotive tariffs from more than 100% to 10%. The UK too has agreed to cut its tariffs and 99% of India's exports to Britain will face no duties.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
LOP's desperation over Congress losses on display: BJP
NEW DELHI: Top BJP functionaries including party president J P Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday reacted vehemently to Congress member Rahul Gandhi's latest claim questioning the Maharashtra assembly polls, saying that the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha was reflecting his desperation after his party's losses and the looming one in Bihar assembly polls. "Rahul Gandhi's latest article is a blueprint for manufacturing fake narratives, owing to his sadness and desperation of losing election after election," said Nadda in response to Gandhi's article which appeared in a national daily on Saturday. Citing factors that "doomed" Congress in recent polls, Nadda said Congress gets defeated election after election due to his (Rahul Gandhi's) antics. "Instead of introspecting, he cooks up bizarre conspiracies and cries rigging. Ignores all facts and data. Defames institutions with zero proof and hopes for headlines over facts," the BJP president said in a post on X. Nadda said despite being exposed time and again, Rahul shamelessly keeps peddling lies. "And, he is doing this because a defeat in Bihar is certain," he said adding that democracy doesn't need drama but truth. Pradhan said Rahul Gandhi's post on Maharashtra elections is nothing more than a predictable script-lose elections, discredit institutions, fabricate conspiracies, and portray himself as a victim of an imaginary system. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 신차장기렌트 첫달 렌트료 전액지원해드립니다. 신차장기렌트센터 더 알아보기 Undo "But India's democracy is far stronger than the insecurities of a dynast who refuses to accept repeated electoral verdicts," Pradhan, a prominent OBC face of BJP, said. He said it there's any rigging Rahul should be worried about, it's the kind his own party mastered for decades-from Emergency to misusing Article 356 over 90 times to dismiss opposition govts. "Let's not forget, this is the same Rahul Gandhi who falsely claimed in Cambridge that Indian democracy is 'dead', yet participates in elections, campaigns freely, and blames EVMs only when he loses," the senior BJP functionary said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Modi to attend 1st anniversary celebration of Majhi govt
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the first anniversary celebration of the Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP govt in Odisha on June 20. This event will mark the end of the nine-day celebration starting June 12, when Majhi took oath last year. This anniversary marks a milestone for BJP, which defied expectations by forming a govt in Odisha for the first time, challenging the predictions of many political analysts. For Majhi, this occasion is not only a testament to his leadership but also a personal triumph, as he rose from humble beginnings as a sarpanch to the state's highest office. The BJP is keen to leverage this anniversary to highlight its achievements over the past year, portraying it as a period of remarkable success. Among the initiatives being showcased are the state govt's Rs 800 bonus per quintal of paddy and the "Subhadra" cash incentive scheme, which provides Rs 5,000 annually to around one crore women. These programmes are being positioned as key accomplishments of the Majhi administration, which also fulfilled several other emotive and symbolic poll promises, such as the opening of four gates of the 12th century Jagannath temple in Puri. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Amazon CFD : La clave para un ingreso extra (Conoce más) Empezar ahora Registrarse Undo Majhi, who succeeded Naveen Patnaik after his 24-year tenure as chief minister, is working to establish himself as a 'people's CM'. His approach contrasts sharply with that of his predecessor, as he emphasizes accessibility and engagement with the public. His participation in a marathon 12-hour debate on the Odisha University Amendment Bill, 2025, exemplifies his commitment to governance and legislative processes. Naveen was often criticised for skipping assembly when he was CM. Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari confirmed that Modi will attend the event on June 20, following a request from the CM. Although the anniversary falls on June 12, the Prime Minister's schedule necessitated a later visit. "The celebrations will span from June 12 to June 20, with various programmes planned to engage the public and highlight the govt's vision for the future," he said. The anniversary celebrations will include a press conference by the chief minister, discussions with intellectuals, and the unveiling of a vision document for 2036 and 2047. These events aim to reinforce the BJP's strategic goals and long-term plans for Odisha. The CM earlier announced the aspiration for Odisha to become a US $1.5 trillion economy by 2047 and US $500 billion by 2036, which requires a 9.2% growth rate. District-level programmes will also be organised to ensure widespread participation and engagement. Modi's visit will be his sixth to Odisha since Majhi assumed office, underscoring the importance of the state in the BJP's national strategy. During a recent visit to Delhi, Majhi invited the Prime Minister to attend the anniversary, highlighting the significance of this event for both the state and the party. As preparations continue, BJP is poised to use this anniversary as a platform to consolidate its position in Odisha and demonstrate its governance capabilities.
