Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kananaskis, Canada, on June 16, 2025, to participate in the 51st G7 Summit, marking his first visit to Canada in a decade. This high-profile visit is part of a three-nation tour, with Modi having reached Canada from Cyprus.

The Prime Minister’s arrival in Canada also comes a little over a month after India conducted Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attacks. This context has raised the geopolitical stakes of his visit.

G7 Summit and Global Issues on the Table

Hosted in the picturesque town of Kananaskis, Alberta, the summit spans two days — June 16 and 17 — and is being attended by leaders of the world’s top economies including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and host Canada, along with the European Union.

Modi will participate in Outreach sessions and several bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions will centre around energy security, technology and innovation, with a focus on the AI-energy nexus and quantum technologies.

This is Modi’s sixth consecutive G7 participation, underscoring India’s rising global diplomatic profile. The 2025 summit also marks the 50th anniversary of the G7 platform, which was initiated in 1975.

Bilateral Focus: Mending India-Canada Ties

A significant aspect of the visit will be the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney, who took over from Justin Trudeau in March 2025.

Ties between the two countries hit an all-time low in 2024 over the assassination of pro-Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Ottawa had accused Indian officials of involvement, prompting India to recall six diplomats and expel Canadian envoys in retaliation.

India had also accused Trudeau’s government of allowing pro-Khalistani elements to operate freely on Canadian soil, straining ties despite the countries’ long-standing economic and diaspora connections.

However, the election of Carney, a former central banker and political outsider, has opened a window to reset the relationship. Carney’s invitation to Modi is being seen as a gesture of goodwill and an indication of the new government’s intent to rebuild bridges.

India’s MEA, ahead of the visit, stated that the meeting between Modi and Carney would allow both sides to “explore pathways” to restore mutual trust and sensitivity in bilateral relations. The resumption of backchannel security contacts and discussions on appointing new high commissioners are already underway.

During his previous Canada visit in 2015, PM Modi elevated India-Canada ties to a strategic partnership.

Trade and Economic Relations

Bilateral trade between India and Canada has seen consistent growth, with goods trade in 2024 valued at USD 8.6 billion. India exported USD 4.2 billion and imported USD 4.4 billion worth of goods.

Trade in services stood at a much higher USD 14.3 billion, with India exporting USD 2.5 billion and importing USD 11.8 billion.

The G7 Summit provides an opportunity to address trade imbalances, push forward stalled agreements, and encourage technology partnerships, especially in green energy and digital transformation.

Global Tensions Loom Large

The Summit takes place under the shadow of intensifying global conflicts:

• The Middle East remains volatile after recent Iran-Israel strikes.

• A trade war triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes has disrupted global supply chains.

• The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues with no clear resolution.

President Trump, who arrived in Canada on Sunday, is expected to meet Canadian PM Carney, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

These bilateral discussions alongside the G7 proceedings are expected to shape the diplomatic tone for the rest of 2025.

India’s Role at the G7 Summit

India, the fifth-largest economy in the world, has regularly been invited to the G7 Outreach sessions. This year marks its eleventh participation. Previous years include:

• 2003 (France)

• 2005 (UK)

• 2006 (Russia)

• 2007 (Germany)

• 2008 (Japan)

• 2009 (Italy)

• 2019 (France)

• 2021 (UK)

• 2022 (Germany)

• 2023 (Japan)

• 2024 (Italy)

India’s presence signifies its growing clout in addressing climate change, technology ethics, supply chain resilience, and digital democracy.

This year’s Outreach Segment will include one session, focused on the intersection of global innovation and energy transformation, reflecting India's interest in AI-driven clean tech, quantum computing, and renewable energy collaboration.

Indian Diaspora in Canada

Canada hosts one of the largest Indian diasporas globally, accounting for nearly 4.5% of its total population. This includes:

• 1.8 million people of Indian origin (including approx. 770,000 Sikhs)

• Over 1 million NRIs, comprising students, skilled workers, and temporary visa holders

In 2022, Indian students represented 41% of international students in Canada, making them the largest foreign student demographic.

However, recent immigration policy tightening in Canada has raised concerns for Indian families and universities alike, as it impacts not only student intake but also higher education revenue streams.

Modi’s visit could address these pressing diaspora concerns and encourage smoother mobility, education collaboration, and visa policies between both countries.

What Lies Ahead?

With diplomatic tensions softening and renewed opportunities emerging, PM Modi’s G7 visit is a critical moment to rebuild India-Canada ties and assert India’s role as a responsible voice on global issues.

As Modi engages with global leaders in Kananaskis, his presence marks not just a diplomatic participation but a strategic assertion of India’s standing in the multilateral world order.

The outcomes of his bilateral meeting with PM Carney and his statements at the Outreach Session will be closely watched by global capitals, business leaders, and Indian citizens both at home and across the globe.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Safe Enterprises Retail Fixtures, Globe Civil Projects, Sambhav Steel Tubes, Ellenbarrie Indutrial Gases, Kalpataru, HDB Financials, AJC Jewel, ArisInfra Solutions, Influx Healthtech, Mayasheel Ventures, Eppeltone Engineers.

The Current active IPO are Oswal Pumps, Patil Automation, Samay Projects Services, Aten Papers, Monolithisch India.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.