India key to supply chains, PM’s G7 invite makes sense: Carney

Defending his decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the G7 Summit, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday said it “made sense” to have India, the fifth largest economy, at the table.

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Responding to a question on extending an invitation to PM Modi for the summit, Carney said, “There are certain countries that should be at the table for those discussions in my capacity as G7 chair consultation.”

“India is the fifth largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous in the world central to a number of supply chains, so it makes sense. In addition, bilaterally, we have now agreed importantly to continued law enforcement dialogue so there’s been some progress… I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi in that context and he has accepted,” the Canadian PM added. Carney said the G7 countries would hold discussions on important issues, including security, and energy. He added that India’s presence at the intergovernmental political and economic forum is essential.

Yesterday, PM Modi posted on social media platform X about the impending visit, ending days of speculation that the PM may miss the G7 Summit, a first since 2019. India is not a member of the G7 but is invited as one of the big economies. The summit is scheduled from June 15 to June 17.

Mentioning about the call between him and Carney, PM Modi said, “Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis.” PM Modi had also posted on X, “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 G7 Summit.”

Carney took over from former PM Justin Trudeau in March this year. India-Canada relations nosedived after Trudeau accused India of being involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Vancouver in June 2023. New Delhi vehemently dismissed the charges, and both nations expelled each other’s diplomats.