Canada's Mark Carney Gives 3 Key Reasons Why India Must Be At The G7 Summit

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday emphasised the importance of India attending the G7 Summit, noting the country's position as the fifth largest economy in the world. He highlighted India's role in global supply chains and its relevance to conversations on energy, security, and digital infrastructure, and how they made its presence at the G7 pertinent.

"Let's put the two aspects in context- first is, we are in the role-Canada's in the role of the G7 chair and in those discussions as agreed with our G7 colleagues, include important discussions on energy, security, on digital future, critical minerals amongst others and partnerships actually in building infrastructure in the emerging and developing world," Mark Carney said.

"There are certain countries that should be at the table for those discussions, and in my capacity as G7 chair, I will consult with some others to make those determinations. India is the fifth largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous country in the world, central to a number of those supply chains at the heart of a number of those supply chains, so it makes sense," he added.

The Canadian Prime Minister also highlighted the bilateral dimension of the decision. "In addition, bilaterally we have now agreed importantly to continued law enforcement to law enforcement dialogue so there's been some progress on that... recognises issues of accountability. I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi in that context, and he has accepted it," he said.

Carney's comments came after some of his political opponents in Canada criticised him for inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit in view of a probe into allegations of Indian links to the killing of a Khalistani separatist in 2023. But Carney made it clear that it is not appropriate for him to comment as the legal process in the case is underway.

India-Canada relations hit rock bottom following then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in 2023 of a potential Indian link to the killing of Nijjar. After Trudeau's exit, New Delhi said it hoped to rebuild ties with Canada based on "mutual trust and sensitivity".

Canada is hosting the G7 summit in the Alberta province from June 15 to 17 in its capacity as the current chair of the grouping. Prime Minister Modi accepted Carney's invitation to attend the G7 summit during a phone conversation on Friday.

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