Carney's G7 invitation list continues to expand, despite concerns about India's presence

Globe and Mail

a day ago

Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to expand the invitation list for the coming Group of Seven summit, as he seeks to build new economic partnerships, though some of his caucus members are raising concerns about India's presence at the table.
The Globe and Mail has learned that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not attend next week's G7 gathering in Kananaskis, Alta. – a development that may ease some of the tension inside Mr. Carney's Liberal caucus, as some MPs were also upset about Mr. bin Salman's invitation.
The MPs say India and Saudi Arabia are in violation of Mr. Carney's own G7 priority of 'countering foreign interference and transnational crime,' and therefore should not have been invited.
A list of attendants of the June 15-17 summit, issued Wednesday by the Prime Minister's Office, includes the leaders of Brazil, South Africa, India, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Mexico, Ukraine and Australia; the presidents of the European Commission and World Bank; and the NATO secretary-general. More leaders may still be confirmed.
The members of the G7, an informal grouping of some of the world's most advanced economies, are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States. The country hosting each year's summit often invites non-member states to attend in recognition of other major economies and the need for global collaboration on major policy priorities.
Mr. Carney announced Wednesday that, ahead of the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will come to Ottawa for bilateral talks.
'Prime Minister Starmer's visit will strengthen the long-standing economic and security partnership between the two nations – and deliver growth and prosperity for our peoples,' Mr. Carney's office said in a statement.
The two men previously met in March, on Mr. Carney's first trip abroad as Prime Minister.
Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal criticizes Modi's G7 invitation in meeting with Carney
The G7 summit will mark U.S. President Donald Trump's first visit to Canada since his re-election and imposition of tariffs on this country. Ottawa and Washington continue to negotiate toward a new trade and security deal.
Mr. Carney has said the priorities guiding the summit are 'anchored' in building stronger economies. He will be seeking co-ordinated action in three areas: 'protecting our communities and the world,' 'building energy security and accelerating digital transitions,' and securing economic partnerships.
Under that first heading, he specifically described tackling foreign interference and transnational crime – a priority that Liberal MPs said Wednesday is out of step with inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. bin Salman.
In 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh-Canadian advocate for the carving out of an independent state of Khalistan in India, was killed in B.C. Mr. Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau, publicly accused India of orchestrating the slaying, though New Delhi has denied the allegation. Four Indian nationals have been charged in the case.
The foreign-interference inquiry also cited instances of Indian-state meddling in Canadian democratic processes.
Opinion: Carney should know it's way too soon to invite Modi to Canada
In 2018, Ottawa imposed sanctions on 17 Saudis for the slaying of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Turkey. U.S. media later reported that the CIA believes Mr. bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, ordered Mr. Khashoggi's killing – contradicting Riyadh's assertion that he was not involved.
Gurbux Saini, a B.C. Liberal MP, said the G7 invitations of Mr. Modi and Mr. bin Salman undermine Canada's reputation.
'It is a damaging thing because we have been known in the world as caring and compassionate people who love human rights, and this is something the Prime Minister is aware of and it has been brought to his attention,' Mr. Saini said on his way into the party's weekly caucus meeting Wednesday.
Mr. Carney did not answer questions from reporters Wednesday about the invite to Mr. bin Salman.
But last week, Mr. Carney said it made sense for India to be at the table, as it is one of the largest economies in the world and central to global supply chains. He wouldn't comment on the allegations levelled by his predecessor against India, saying 'the rule of law is proceeding as it should,' and that he wasn't going to comment.
But he said the invitation to Mr. Modi was extended in the context of continuing dialogue between law enforcement in both countries.
Some MPs said Wednesday that, while they understand the imperative of engaging economically and diplomatically with India and Saudi Arabia, there has to be a wider discussion of the issues.
'These are important economic relationships to have,' said Karina Gould, who ran against Mr. Carney for Liberal leadership earlier this year.
'But that being said, as Canada, we also have certain values that are important to us, and when it comes to human rights, when it comes to standing up and protecting Canadian citizens on our soil, but also ensuring that freedom exists around the world, that that's a message that we should be passing along to both Prime Minister Modi as well as the Crown Prince.'