Ottawa/New Delhi, June 7 (UNI) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that India being the fifth largest economy in the world, having the largest population, and being central to vital global supply chains, deserves to be invited to the G7 Summit, and that he had spoken to PM Modi to invite him.

Asked at a press conference why Ottawa had invited PM Modi after the Canadian government accused New Delhi, under the previous dispensation of Justin Trudeau, of being involved in “a campaign of murder and intimidation”, Canadian PM Carney also said that the two countries have agreed “to continue law enforcement dialogue” so that it “recognises issues of accountability”.

“Canada is in the role of the G7 chair, and in those discussions, as agreed with our G7 colleagues, include important discussions on energy security, on artificial intelligence, on critical minerals, and partnerships on building infrastructure in the emerging and developing world.

“There are certain countries that should be at the table for those discussions; and my capacity as G7 chair, in consultation with others, make those determinations.

“India is the fifth largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous country in the world, central to a number of those supply chains, at the heart of those supply chains, and so that (invite) makes sense.

“And in addition, bilaterally, we have now agreed, importantly, to continue law enforcement dialogue, so there’s some progress on that which recognises issues of accountability. I extended the invitation to PM Modi in that context and he has accepted.”

A statement from the Canadian PM’s office said:

“Today (Friday), the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.

“The two leaders 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.

“Prime Minister Carney extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to attend Canada’s 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.

“Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi agreed to remain in contact and looked forward to meeting at the G7 Leaders’ Summit later this month,” it said.

The invite from the Canadian PM Carney and PM Modi’s attendance marks a thawing in the relations between the two nations that had seen a sharp downward spiral under Justin Trudeau, over the latter’s championing the cause of the Khalistani elements.

PM Modi said in a post on X on Friday that the two nations will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests, and that he looks forward to their meeting at the Summit.

The Canada-based World Sikh Organization condemned PM Carney’s decision to invite the Indian PM to the G7, terming it as “a betrayal”.

Goldy Hyder, president of the Business Council of Canada, welcomed PM Modi’s inclusion at the G7 leaders’ summit. He said there is a clear opportunity ahead for Canada and India to reset their relationship and determine next steps in the coming months.

“On the global front, it’s important that democracies work in concert at a challenging and uncertain time like this,” Hyder said.

Last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Canada is looking forward to rebuilding ties with India “one step at a time” as part of an effort to diversify trade away from the United States.

The G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The President of the European Commission and several other nations are also expected to participate in the summit.

Ties between the two nations had gone on a downward spiral under the regime of Justin Trudeau, with the latter accusing India of involvement in the gunning down of pro-Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023. India denied the allegations and asked him to show proof, which Canada was unable to. The two sides expelled each others’ diplomats in a tit-for-tat measure. Ottawa has also been very lenient toward pro-Khalistani elements, allowing them to take out floats and processions with anti-India slogans.

UNI RN