Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking “renewed vigour” in relations with India at the G7 summit, despite the lingering diplomatic fallout from the Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder allegations. His invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signals a desire to move past recent tensions and find common ground for cooperation.
Carney, when confronted by the media, deliberately avoided expressing an opinion on Modi’s potential involvement in the Nijjar assassination. He stressed the ongoing legal process in Canada as the reason for his silence, deeming it inappropriate to comment publicly. Four Indian nationals have been charged in connection with Nijjar’s murder, a case that has already led to significant diplomatic fallout.
The G7 summit, scheduled for June 15-17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, is a key international gathering. Carney justified Modi’s invitation by highlighting India’s economic and demographic significance, calling it the “fifth largest economy in the world” and “most populous country,” and central to global supply chains. He argued that engaging with India’s leader is essential for discussing critical topics like energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.
Modi, in a statement, echoed this sentiment, stating that India and Canada will work together “with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests.” This shared language suggests a mutual desire to overcome current diplomatic challenges through engagement at the summit, despite the ongoing controversy.