Canadian PM’s G7 Strategy: Engagement Despite Accusations

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s G7 strategy involves engaging with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite serious accusations by Canadian federal police linking the Indian government to the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This approach suggests a pragmatic foreign policy aimed at maintaining channels of communication even amidst significant diplomatic challenges.
Carney, while addressing reporters, carefully avoided offering a personal opinion on Modi’s potential role in Nijjar’s assassination. He cited the ongoing and “quite advanced” legal process in Canada, stating that it would be inappropriate to comment publicly. The charges laid against four Indian nationals in the Nijjar case have already led to a significant deterioration in Canada-India relations.
The G7 summit, scheduled from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, is a high-profile international gathering. Carney defended his controversial decision by highlighting India’s economic and demographic importance, calling it the “fifth largest economy in the world” and “most populous country,” and central to global supply chains. He argued that Modi’s presence is essential for discussions on energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.
This invitation also fits within Carney’s broader strategy to mend fractured international relationships, including recent efforts to normalize communication with China and ongoing talks with the US to resolve tariffs. However, the World Sikh Organization has expressed strong condemnation, arguing that inviting Modi under these circumstances compromises Canadian values.