Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted an invitation to attend the G7 summit in Canada next month, a move that has sparked both enthusiasm and controversy. The invitation, extended by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, was confirmed via official announcements and social media exchanges between the two leaders.
Modi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), thanked Carney for the opportunity, stating, “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 Summit.”Â
Carney, in his response, emphasised the importance of including diverse perspectives, tweeting, “I spoke with @NarendraModi today on the longstanding relationship between Canada and India, including deep people-to-people ties and significant commercial links. Importantly, we agreed to continued law enforcement dialogue and discussions addressing security concerns.“
However, the invitation has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and human rights groups in Canada, who accuse Modi’s government of undermining democratic freedoms. The Guardian reported that critics argue the invitation legitimises Modi’s policies, while Carney defended the decision, stating, “Diplomacy requires dialogue, not isolation.”
The BBC noted that the Canadian PM’s office has framed the invitation as part of broader efforts to engage major economies in climate and security discussions. The G7 summit, scheduled for late July, will focus on economic resilience and global security, with India participating as a guest nation.
