Modi’s G7 invitation marked diplomatic breakthrough but challenges remain

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta in June at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney with many seeing this as a breakthrough in Canada-India relations.

Bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries have been shaky ever since former prime minister Justin Trudeau made unfounded allegations in September 2023 linking the murder of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar to agents of the Indian government.

Singh Nijjar, who was a vocal supporter of the creation of Khalistan – a separate homeland for the Sikhs that would include parts of India’s Punjab state, saw Canada in 2023 take the first step in expelling a senior Indian diplomat with India reacting by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat.

The allegations had geopolitical implications and the potential of undoing India’s enhanced global stature and reputation.

Canadian media had placed Trudeau’s ambiguous language in his accusations under a magnifying glass, highlighting the absence of substantial evidence as Canada relied on intelligence allegations rather than intelligence evidence.

India’s Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the time said that the differences preceded Nijjar’s death as the Indian government had long accused Canada of inaction in dealing with Sikh separatist extremism aimed at creating a separate Sikh homeland.

India had accused Canada of being a “safe haven for terrorists, extremists and organised crime”.

Carney’s invitation to Modi to attend the G7 Summit between June 15 and 17 may be seen as a reset but Canada’s unwillingness to address the Khalistani extremism that India is concerned about, could be a significant hurdle to continued smooth bilateral relations.

The Canadian Prime Minister is looking to revitalise the country’s economic relationships, particularly beyond the United States and India could be a vital trade and economic partner, given that it is the world’s fourth-largest economy.

Carney, reflecting on the invitation to Modi to attend the summit said: “There are certain countries that should be at that table for discussions, and it makes sense that India should be there.”

India’s non-member role in G7 has evolved significantly over the last few years. It has been invited as a special invitee since 2019.

The western world needs India on its side to deal with important economic and geopolitical challenges and the summit addressed critical issues that India plays a prominent global role in - climate change, energy security, challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence, technology inclusivity, and environmental security. 

A part of this recognition has to do with India’s rising economic heft, its strategic location and importance, and its credentials of being a robust democracy. India also plays a prominent role in representing and highlighting critical issues pertaining to the Global South.

Carney’s invitation to Modi suggests that India’s presence helps to broaden the G7 dialogue and dispel perceptions that it merely involves considerations of an exclusive club of countries. It also underscores New Delhi’s significant role in international diplomacy and economic affairs.

Canadian political commentator and podcaster Josh Udall said Carney is focused on economics and understands the need to pursue a strong trade partnership with India.

“It’s mostly Khalistani voices getting airtime (in Canada)...that dangerously shapes public opinion,” he said, adding that there is a skewed understanding of India as an interfering foreign power.

The transition from Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh (former politician who served as the leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party) to Carney’s administration may offer space for recalibration with Singh allegedly linked to associations between pro-Khalistan groups and this may have influenced Trudeau’s views on the matter.

Jasdip Singh Jesse, founder and chairman of Sikhs of America said ‘Khalistextremism’ and the Khalistani support and influence that was prominent during Trudeau’s tenure as Prime Minister, will diminish under Carney’s leadership.

“Trudeau was a very weak Prime Minister, just like his father, and they had some kind of agenda against India, which is gone, the Khalistani influence is not there.”

India and Canada were also embroiled in a diplomatic row in the early 1980s when then Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (Justin Trudeau’s father) turned down requests by then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to extradite Khalistani extremist Talwinder Singh Parmar who was living in Canada.

Parmar in 1985 was the mastermind of the mid-air bombing of an Air India jet that took off from Montreal, killing 329 passengers and crew, most of them Canadians.

There is a delicate balance that is needed in the relationship with Modi calling for action against extremism while Carney wants trade. Only time will tell if both countries are able to find common ground.

* Dr Govender is an academic and a keen observer of issues related to international relations.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.