Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s G7 diplomacy extends beyond the controversial Modi invitation, representing a multi-front effort to ease tensions with key global players. His government is actively seeking to mend fractured relationships, from India to China and the United States, amidst ongoing trade disputes and political complexities.
Carney, while facing reporters’ questions, carefully avoided expressing a personal opinion on Modi’s potential role in Nijjar’s assassination. He emphasized the ongoing and “quite advanced” legal process in Canada as the reason for his silence, stressing the impropriety of public commentary on an active investigation. Four Indian nationals have been charged in connection with the murder, which severely strained diplomatic relations.
The G7 summit, set for mid-June in Kananaskis, Alberta, is a key international forum. Carney justified Modi’s invitation by underscoring India’s global economic and demographic clout, calling it the “fifth largest economy in the world” and the “most populous country,” and central to global supply chains. He explicitly stated the importance of discussing energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals with the Indian leader.
Beyond India, Carney recently engaged with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to regularize communication channels amid a trade spat and is in “deep, deep discussions” with US President Donald Trump’s team to end tariffs. This comprehensive diplomatic push aims to stabilize Canada’s international standing, even if it entails making difficult decisions like the Modi invitation.