Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing growing criticism over his decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta, scheduled for June 15–17. Addressing the backlash during a news conference in Ottawa, Carney defended the move by emphasizing India’s status as the world’s fifth-largest economy and its central role in key global discussions on energy, AI, and critical minerals.
Carney avoided answering directly when asked if he believed Prime Minister Modi had a role in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot outside a temple in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Canada has publicly linked Nijjar’s death to the Indian government, and the investigation has led to charges against four Indian nationals residing in Canada.
Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal, who represents the Surrey riding where Nijjar lived and died, said he plans to express his concerns to Carney over Modi’s invitation. According to Dhaliwal, his office has received dozens of calls and over 100 emails from constituents alarmed by the decision. He described their sentiments as a mix of confusion and betrayal.
Carney attempted to separate India as a nation from its current leadership, stating that New Delhi’s cooperation in resuming a law enforcement dialogue reflects a willingness to engage on accountability issues related to the case. Reports in The Wire and The Guardian highlighted Carney’s comments on the legal process underway in Canada, with the prime minister insisting it would be inappropriate to comment further due to the active nature of the investigation.
Despite the sensitivity of the issue, Carney stood firm, stressing India’s significance on the global stage, particularly in supply chains and population metrics. However, in welcoming Modi, Carney also sparked irritation among Modi supporters by contradicting recent claims from Indian officials and media that India had overtaken Japan as the world’s fourth-largest economy—something Carney did not acknowledge, aligning instead with independent economists who maintain that India remains in fifth place.
Confirming the invite, Carney noted that Modi had accepted the invitation and expressed optimism about India and Canada working together in areas of shared interest. Modi, in turn, shared the news publicly, describing the invitation as a positive step forward. “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,” he posted.