PM Modi’s Visit to Canada for G7 Summit: A Diplomatic Reset in Motion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landing at Calgary International Airport on June 17, 2025, marked a significant moment in India’s foreign diplomacy. This trip is not just about India’s growing prominence on the global stage, but also about healing strained diplomatic ties with Canada. PM Modi is attending the G7 Summit in Kananaskis village, Alberta, as a special invitee—a consistent presence since 2019, reflecting India’s increasing importance in global geopolitics.

Modi’s visit is notable for many reasons. This is his first visit to Canada since 2015 and also his first after the serious diplomatic fallout following the 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Nijjar incident caused a complete freeze in India-Canada relations. Canada, under then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accused Indian diplomats of involvement, prompting India to recall its high commissioner and expel Canadian diplomats. This diplomatic war further intensified tensions as India accused the Trudeau government of harboring pro-Khalistani separatists.

But 2025 has brought a new chapter. The exit of Justin Trudeau and the entry of Mark Carney as Canada’s new Prime Minister created an opening for restoration. Carney’s invitation to PM Modi signals a willingness to move forward with mutual respect. The Indian government has also reciprocated, showing readiness to rebuild a relationship that had reached historic lows.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed optimism, noting both countries as “vibrant democracies” and hinting that Modi’s sideline meeting with Carney at the G7 could act as a reset point. It’s not just about symbolism—the outreach has real potential to normalize diplomatic channels and resume cooperation.

Beyond bilateral tensions, Modi’s presence at the G7 Summit itself is of high importance. Though India is not a member of the G7, Modi has been invited regularly since 2019 due to India’s rising global role. This year's summit focuses on several pressing global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, tensions in the Middle East following Iranian and Israeli strikes, and economic instability caused by evolving U.S. trade policies.

During the summit, PM Modi will participate in outreach sessions and hold multiple bilateral meetings with world leaders, all within a tightly packed 23-hour schedule. His itinerary includes high-level discussions between 11:10 PM and 4:30 AM IST, capped by departure for Zagreb, Croatia.

The significance of the visit also extends to trade and economic relations. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods between India and Canada reached $8.6 billion—India exported $4.2 billion and imported $4.4 billion. In services, India exported $2.5 billion and imported $11.8 billion, underlining a strong interdependence, particularly in sectors like education, technology, and financial services.

The backdrop to this renewed diplomatic overture includes Operation Sindoor, India’s counter-terrorism operation in Pakistan and PoK, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attacks. Modi’s attendance at the G7 signals that India is not retreating into regional politics but embracing a proactive global role, especially in forums that shape world policies.

Modi also highlighted the importance of shared democratic values, people-to-people ties, and mutual interests. “As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigor, guided by mutual respect,” he stated before his departure.

The change in Canadian leadership is pivotal. Carney, an economist and a political newcomer, represents a shift from Trudeau’s legacy, which was criticized in India for giving space to anti-India elements. Carney’s move to reach out to India reflects a realistic approach focused on economic cooperation, diaspora strength, and shared democratic ideals.

While the past two years saw reduced engagement and frozen diplomatic channels, the last few months have seen security officials from both countries resuming back-channel talks. There’s cautious optimism that high commissioners will be appointed soon and that this visit could pave the way for structured dialogue on sensitive issues, including extremism, immigration, and economic partnerships.

PM Modi’s return to Canada, after a decade, carries weight. His 2015 visit had elevated ties to a strategic partnership. The current visit, though brief, offers a platform to not just restore that momentum but to define a new era of engagement that balances geopolitical realities with domestic sensitivities.

As the G7 continues to address global challenges, India’s voice remains crucial. From climate change to digital governance and global south representation, India has a lot to contribute. And its relationships with developed democracies like Canada must be stable and forward-looking for those contributions to have real impact.

In conclusion, PM Modi’s 2025 visit to Canada is more than a summit stopover—it is a calculated diplomatic move to reset fractured ties, reassert India’s global role, and show that New Delhi is ready to work with Ottawa, provided mutual respect prevails. As the world watches, this visit could be the start of a renewed partnership between two influential democracies.