Latest news with #IndiaCanadaRelations
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Canada's Last Minute G-7 Invite to Modi Signals a Thaw
As last minute invitations go, this one went down to the wire. After an initial snub, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed that Canada has invited him to the upcoming Group of Seven summit. President Donald Trump's trade war is bringing the two nations, whose relations have been strained in recent years, closer together. India isn't a member of the G-7 — a grouping of the world's richest countries comprising the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan. But it has been a regular attendee. This will be the nation's 12th time participating and Modi's sixth consecutive invitation. Ottawa had originally decided to leave him off the list, a move that raised questions about India's credibility in the international arena.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
"India's voice counts there," former diplomat on PM Modi being invited to G7 summit
Gurugram: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the G7 summit to be held later this month in Canada, former diplomat Anil Trigunayat highlighted significance of the visit, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will talk with top leaders in the summit, especially after the hostilities by Pakistan post Operation Sindoor. Trigunayat said that as India looks to play a bigger role on the world stage and act as a "bridge builder" East and West, the country has also emerged as a "sane voice" in international discourse. "PM Modi has been consistently invited and has attended the G7 Summit, especially as India seeks to play a bigger role as a bridge builder between the East and West. We have seen the role PM Narendra Modi played in the Russia-Ukraine crisis and other crises. India has also emerged as a sane voice in the international discourse," he said in a self-made video. Underlining the importance of the summit, he added, "G7 is a significant grouping, and India's voice counts there, especially in situations like this, where we have just come out of a limited war against Pakistan. PM Modi will be able to speak to all top G7 leaders." Commenting on the relationship between India and Canada, he said that while earlier it was on a downturn due to former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. However, he added that the current Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, who was sworn in just two months ago, has understood that terrorism cannot be condoned. "Our relationship with Canada took a downturn because of the previous Canadian government, particularly the Prime Minister, who made it his mission to align Canada with terrorist and extremist countries and groups. Fortunately, the new Prime Minister and dispensation understand that terrorism cannot be condoned under any circumstances," he said. India-Canada relations had been strained under the leadership of Trudeau following allegations regarding the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Nijjar. However, Carney has publicly called for improving ties with India. Earlier on Saturday, Chandra Arya, the CEO of the Canada India Public Affairs Council said that he would be happy to welcome PM Modi to Canada for the summit. "It would be my pleasure to welcome Narendra Modi to Canada for the G7 meeting during June 15-17. When I met Narendra Modi last July, I emphasised that Canada and India are united by shared values--democracy, pluralism, and a rules-based international order," he said. A Canadian lawmaker, Dallas Brodie highlighted how the invitation to the summit was a "fantastic development." In an interview with ANI, Dallas Brodie, a Canadian lawyer and MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena in British Columbia, also expressed concern at the Khalistani extremism, saying it is "a significant problem" and most Hindus and Sikhs are not happy with the situation. In a veiled reference to the previous government in Canada led by Justin Trudeau, Dallas Brodie said that ties between India and Canada had seen a downslide and PM Mark Carney reaching out to India signals that "they want to fix this dynamic" and "is a very positive development". The G7 summit will be held in Kananaskis, Canada from June 15-17. PM Modi received a call from Mark J Carney, inviting him to attend the upcoming summit.
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Modi to attend G7 summit in Canada in sign of warming ties
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the Canada-hosted Group of Seven summit later this month as ties between the two nations improve. The South Asian country is not a member of the G7, a grouping of seven of the world's richest countries, comprising the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan. But this will be India's 12th time participating and Modi's sixth consecutive invitation to the summit. In a post on X, Modi said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited him to the G7 summit and he looks forward to their meeting. The development signals improving relations between the two nations, which have been frayed over the Modi government's alleged involvement in homicides and extortion targeting Sikhs in Canada who advocate for carving out a separate homeland for followers of the faith. The rift started in September 2023 when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian officials of masterminding the assassination of prominent Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. The Indian government denied any involvement, calling the accusations absurd. Carney's office said in a readout of the phone call that he and Modi discussed the longstanding relationship between Canada and India, including "deep people-to-people ties and significant commercial links.' "Importantly, there was agreement to continued law enforcement dialogue and discussions addressing security concerns,' the readout said, adding the two leaders "agreed to remain in contact and looked forward to meeting at the G7 Leaders' Summit later this month.' The invitation comes as the South Asian nation is expected to overtake Japan and become the fourth-largest economy by March next year, according to estimates by the International Monetary Fund, though it will still be among the world's low per-capita economies. Trade between Canada and India totaled at least $12 billion in 2024. That's minor compared to the U.S.-India trade relationship, which totaled almost $130 billion and U.S.-Canada trade, which topped $700 billion, according to data from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. But the barrage of tariffs being imposed by President Donald Trump means both Canada and India are looking to strengthen trade ties with nations other than the United States. This may prompt the two countries to reset their relations. Canada is a major supplier to India of potash, a fertilizer critical to the agricultural sector. It also exports timber, paper and mining products. India supplies Canada with pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, textiles, and machinery. The South Asian country is also a significant source of international students to Canada. The World Sikh Organization of Canada, a group that advocates for the country's large Sikh diaspora, expressed shock and hurt at Modi's invitation. It sent a letter in May urging Carney not to invite the Indian prime minister, pointing to his government's well-documented campaign of transnational repression targeting Sikhs in Canada. "This is a complete betrayal of our community. It's second-class citizenship and it's hurtful,' Balpreet Singh, legal counsel and spokesperson for the WSO, said in an interview. "This is really a line that has been crossed.' "Justin Trudeau had the respect of our community. We've seen that he had flaws, but he took a principled stand. But Mark Carney has shown that all that matters to him and his government is going to be the dollar, and that's unfortunate. That's a betrayal of Canadian values.'
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
"India being invited to G7 Summit, our PM reaching out for this is fantastic development": Canadian lawmaker
Vancouver: Canada needs to have a better relationship with India and move forward positively and the invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney for the G7 Summit is a "fantastic development", a Canadian lawmaker said on Friday. In an interview with ANI, Dallas Brodie, a Canadian lawyer and MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena in British Columbia, also expressed concern at the Khalistani extremism, saying it is "a significant problem" and most Hindus and Sikhs are not happy with the situation. In a veiled reference to the previous government in Canada led by Justin Trudeau, Dallas Brodie said that ties between India and Canada had seen a downslide and PM Mark Carney reaching out to India signals that "they want to fix this dynamic" and "is a very positive development". "Having India being invited to G7 Summit and our PM Mark Carney reaching out to India for this, is a fantastic a lot in common between our countries. Canada has the largest diaspora of Indian people in the move by the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, to reach out to India, is a very positive development. For the last several years, things have not been good. It's very negative. We need to have a better relationship with India and move forward positively. I think this signals that they want to fix this dynamic," she said. Dallas Brodie said PM Modi's visit to Canada for the G7 Summit will strengthen ties between the two countries. The G7 Summit would be held at Kananaskis in Canada from June 15 to 17. PM Modi received a call from Mark J Carney, inviting him to attend the upcoming G7 Summit. "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," PM Modi said in a post on X. The Canadian lawmaker said India and Canada have a lot in common and that India is a huge market. Answering a query, she said Khalistani extremism is dangerous and scary for many people and it's time for deal with it firmly. "The situation of Khalistani extremism is a significant problem. There's no question. Most Hindus and Sikh people in Canada are not happy with this situation. Hopefully, this will be discussed by the federal government with India. I'm in the provincial government in British Columbia, where there is a large, Khalistani movement. It's dangerous and scary for many people, and it's time for this to be dealt with firmly. I hope this will be discussed in meetings between, Prime Minister Mark Carney and India in the G7 meeting," she said. Dallas Brodie said she is working towards the creation of a memorial for the victims of the Kanishka bombing. The AI-182 'Kanishka' bombing in 1985 was planned and executed in Canada. The dastardly attack claimed the lives of 329 innocent people (largely of India-origin), including 24 Indian nationals. Answering a query, the Canadian lawmaker said the terror attack in Pahalgam was sickening and Canada has to take a position on these kinds of things. "I would imagine that this (subject of eliminating terrorism) is going to be top of mind for PM Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney. I can't imagine that this issue would not be addressed between these two leaders. The attack on the tourists in Kashmir was sickening, and Canada has to take a position on these kinds of things and deal with this. I'm hoping this will be on the list of items that they deal with and I'm sure it will be," she said.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Carney defends inviting Modi to G7 as probe of Nijjar's killing continues
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the ceremonial reception of the visiting Angol's President João Lourenco at the Indian presidential palace in New Delhi, India, Saturday, May 3, 2025.(AP Photo/Manish Swarup) OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending his decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit later this month — despite the fact that security officials have linked Modi's government to the murder of a Canadian man two years ago. Carney extended the invitation to Modi during a phone call Friday morning and Modi accepted. The summit runs from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alta. During a Friday afternoon press conference on Parliament Hill, Carney said that the G7 summit will focus on forging partnerships with emerging and developing nations. He said it makes sense to have India at the table because it's one of the world's largest economies and plays a key role in global supply chains. 'Bilaterally, we have now agreed importantly to continued law enforcement dialogue. So there's been some progress on that. That recognizes issues of accountability,' Carney said. 'I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi in that context and he has accepted.' '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,' Modi said in a social media statement. Modi's comment did not mention the 'law enforcement dialogue' cited by Carney. India's ministry of external affairs issued a statement Friday with similar wording to Modi's comment. Both congratulated Carney on his recent electoral victory. The invitation prompted an angry reaction from the World Sikh Organization of Canada, which wrote to Carney in May asking him not to invite Modi. Tensions have been high between Canada and India since then-prime minister Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons in September 2023 that 'agents of the Indian government' had been linked to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian activist for Sikh separatism shot to death outside a gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., in June 2023. Balpreet Singh, legal counsel and spokesman for the World Sikh Organization of Canada, said Carney's invitation to Modi is a 'betrayal of Canadian values.' 'The summit to which Mr. Modi is being invited falls on the anniversary of the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar two years ago,' he said. 'So for us, this is unacceptable, it's shocking and it's a complete reversal of the principled stand that Prime Minister Trudeau had taken.' At the time of his death, Nijjar was organizing a non-binding referendum in Canada on establishing a Sikh state in Punjab, to be called Khalistan. The Indian government rejected Trudeau's accusation and said Canada was supporting 'Khalistani terrorists.' In May 2024, four Indian nationals were arrested and charged in connection with Nijjar's death. In October 2024, the RCMP said it had evidence linking agents of India's government to homicides and other criminal acts in Canada, including coercion and extortion. Soon after, the federal government announced it had expelled six Indian diplomats and consular officials in relation to what it called 'a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India.' In a media statement, Global Affairs Canada said it had asked India to waive diplomatic and consular immunities 'and to co-operate in the investigation,' but India declined. India responded in kind by expelling six diplomats, including Canada's high commissioner. On Oct. 17, 2024, the U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges against an Indian government employee in connection with an alleged foiled murder-for-hire plot targeting a Sikh separatist leader in New York City. Asked about his decision to invite Modi as unanswered questions remain about Nijjar's death, Carney said that it's never appropriate for a leader to talk about a legal process while it is ongoing. Singh said that the World Sikh Organization wrote Carney a letter on May 21 asking that Modi not be invited to the G7. While India is not a G7 member, the country has been invited to the summit by the host nation every year since 2019. 'We didn't want to make this into a public issue but there was no response. There was no acknowledgment of receipt. But this is, it really boggles the mind,' Singh said. 'How can a country that has engaged in criminal operations in Canada, which is engaged in multiple murders, extortions, receive a red-carpet welcome?' When asked what his message is for people who are worried about Modi's invitation, Carney said the 'rule of law is proceeding as it should in Canada, and I am not going to disrupt that process.' Naresh Raghubeer, a Canada-India relations expert, said that it's important for Carney to attempt to reset the relationship with the Modi government. 'Let policing matters be dealt with at the policing level, and bilateral relationships that transcend those other matters should be dealt with bilaterally. They're more important considerations,' Raghubeer said. 'I think at the end of the day, a relationship with the world's fourth largest economy, the world's most populous nation, a democratic ally that shares our values, is quite important.' Last week, former prime minister Stephen Harper urged Canada to forge a new path with India during a speech at an event in Brampton, Ont. During a press conference, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said 'we need to work with India and other countries on trade and security.' 'So we as Conservatives understand that the invitation is necessary and that we want to see the government work on addressing security issues at the same time as they have when the prime minister has those conversations with the Prime Minster Modi,' Poilievre added. During the final days of the federal election campaign, former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said that in December 2023 he was put under heavy police protection due to a credible threat to his life. He said the RCMP did not identify a specific source for the threat but the implication was that it originated with a foreign government. NDP national security critic Jenny Kwan and foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson condemned the invitation in a joint statement and said they stand with the Sikh community. 'Canadians expect the government to stand in solidarity with Canadians who have expressed their concerns about the (Bharatiya Janata Party) government's record and human rights violations in India,' said McPherson. 'Some of these Canadians live in fear of threat of reprisal against themselves and their families. Canada must stand on the side of human rights, justice, and accountability not diplomatic expediency.' Kwan said that the government 'must explain how justice and human rights are being upheld through this invitation.' Balpreet Singh said the World Sikh Organization doesn't plan on sending further correspondence to the prime minister about Modi's invitation. 'What's the point? I mean, we sent something out on May 21 and received no response,' he said. 'And clearly, our voices don't matter to him.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are among the other non-member world leaders invited to the summit. As of May 28, Sheinbaum had not said whether she would attend. By David Baxter With files from The Associated Press.
