India is unlikely to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada, scheduled from June 15 to 17, as official sources confirm that no invitation has been extended to New Delhi. This marks a significant shift, considering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consistent presence at the summit over the past six years. The absence this year points to evolving geopolitical dynamics and possibly strained diplomatic equations between the host nation and India.
Canada, as the host country, holds the privilege of shaping the summit’s agenda, choosing guest countries, and setting the overall tone in line with its foreign policy priorities. In this context, the decision to not invite India seems deliberate, especially amid ongoing tensions following the June 2023 assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. The fallout from the incident—particularly Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s open allegations of Indian government involvement—has severely strained bilateral ties. India strongly denied any involvement, labelling Trudeau’s claims as “absurd” and “politically motivated.”
There has been no indication of preparatory visits or discussions between the two countries regarding India’s participation in the summit. Furthermore, the Ministry of External Affairs, through its spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, maintained throughout last month that there was no information regarding Prime Minister Modi’s travel plans to Canada for the event.
The G7—comprising the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada—is often joined by key international organizations such as the European Union, IMF, World Bank, and the United Nations. In recent years, India had emerged as a regular guest at the table, underlining its growing global footprint and strategic partnerships with many G7 nations.
However, with diplomatic temperatures still high and no visible thaw in India-Canada relations, India’s absence from this year’s summit seems to reflect not only protocol but also a larger geopolitical message.