Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not expected to attend the 2025 G7 Summit in Alberta, Canada — not by choice, but by exclusion. Once welcomed with open arms by the West, Modi’s absence this year marks a dramatic turn in India’s global engagement and highlights the collapse of his ambition to position India as a leading world power — a “Vishwaguru.”
While the government remains tight-lipped, and mainstream Indian media paints a business-as-usual narrative, the reality is far more complex. Modi’s diminishing international stature, frosty relations with Canada, and an increasingly controlled domestic information environment have all contributed to a deepening foreign policy crisis.
India-Canada Rift: Diplomatic Breakdown
India’s exclusion from the G7 is closely tied to its deteriorating relationship with host nation Canada. Tensions peaked in 2023 following the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, which Canadian intelligence linked to Indian agents. The diplomatic fallout — including expelled diplomats, frozen trade talks, and public recriminations — remains unresolved.
Despite the change in Canadian leadership under Prime Minister Mark Carney, no olive branch has been extended. The absence of an invitation to India this year underlines Canada’s hardened stance and India’s slipping relevance in Western strategic circles.
Trump’s Role and G7 Uncertainty
U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to power has introduced further complications. His volatile foreign policy — including imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and his outlandish suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state — has disrupted the typical tone of G7 diplomacy. Trump’s prioritization of bilateral deals over multilateral cooperation further diminishes the effectiveness of forums like the G7 and leaves nations like India with fewer reliable allies.
Modi’s Foreign Policy: Vision Without Substance
Modi’s foreign policy has long centered on high-visibility summits, diaspora rallies, and the branding of India as a spiritual and technological superpower. His repeated use of slogans like “Make in India”, “Digital India”, and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” were aimed at boosting domestic confidence and global prestige. However, behind the optics lies a growing reality of missed opportunities and declining influence.
India has failed to secure long-term peace with China following repeated border skirmishes. Its neighborhood-first policy has alienated countries like the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The much-touted Quad alliance has not materialized into any meaningful counterbalance to Chinese power. Furthermore, India’s ambiguity on global conflicts — such as the Ukraine war and the Gaza crisis — has eroded trust among Western allies.
The Role of Godi Media in Shaping a False Narrative
At the heart of Modi’s foreign policy image crisis is India’s domestic media — especially the pro-government “Godi Media.” Instead of critically examining India’s diplomatic setbacks or addressing public concerns about global isolation, these media outlets have actively participated in a coordinated disinformation campaign, painting every foreign policy failure as a strategic win.
During the recent G7 snub, for example, several primetime debates focused on trivializing the summit itself or blaming foreign conspiracies, rather than acknowledging the absence of an invitation. Reports falsely claimed that India had “chosen not to attend,” spinning the exclusion as a deliberate act of sovereignty.
In earlier diplomatic rows — such as the Canada assassination fallout and tensions with Maldives — these media houses amplified nationalistic rhetoric, deflected accountability, and demonized foreign leaders. This media ecosystem has contributed significantly to domestic ignorance of India’s declining international stature and stifled any internal democratic debate on the effectiveness of Modi’s foreign policy.
Furthermore, in the age of global interconnectedness, such media narratives do not stay confined to Indian borders. International observers and foreign governments closely watch India’s internal discourse, and the absence of critical media scrutiny only fuels concerns about India’s democratic backsliding and state-controlled narratives.
Declining Global and Domestic Popularity
Globally, Modi’s image has shifted from that of a bold reformer to an authoritarian strongman. Human rights concerns, suppression of dissent, attacks on press freedom, and rising religious intolerance in India have prompted criticism from the UN, EU, and human rights organizations. This growing discomfort has influenced the willingness of Western leaders to engage openly and consistently with him.
Domestically, Modi’s popularity has taken a hit as well. Once riding high on a wave of nationalism and economic promises, he now faces criticism over rising inflation, unemployment, and increasing communal tensions. Several opinion polls in 2025 indicate a sharp decline in approval ratings, especially among youth and urban voters.
Conclusion: A Dangerous Mix of Isolation and Misinformation
India’s absence from the 2025 G7 Summit is not merely a diplomatic snub; it is a warning bell about the costs of an over-centralized foreign policy driven more by image than substance — and defended by a subservient media ecosystem.
If India hopes to regain its voice in international affairs, it must first re-establish internal democratic accountability, allow truthful media reporting, and realign its foreign policy based on principle, consistency, and mutual respect. The dream of becoming a Vishwaguru cannot be built on propaganda — only on credibility.