India’s G7 Absence Raises Eyebrows
In a surprising diplomatic development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not received an official invitation to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit, set to take place in Canada from June 15 to 17, 2025. This would mark the first time in six years that Modi is not present at this high-profile international gathering of the world’s most powerful democracies and economies.
The G7 summit, which brings together leaders from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, is widely seen as a platform for shaping global economic and geopolitical policy. India, although not a formal member of the group, has frequently been invited as a guest participant in recent years due to its growing global influence and strategic relevance.
However, the 2025 summit is turning heads, as Modi’s absence signals a possible diplomatic freeze between New Delhi and Ottawa, particularly in light of escalating tensions over the Khalistan issue and strained bilateral relations.
Canada Hosts G7: Modi Missing from the Guest List
The Canadian government, led by a new administration following the 2024 federal elections, is hosting this year’s G7 summit in the province of Quebec. While the summit promises discussions on climate change, economic recovery, artificial intelligence regulation, and global security, the absence of India’s participation may raise questions about the forum’s inclusivity and broader geopolitical alignment.
According to Indian media reports, senior officials within the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have confirmed that no formal invitation has been received from Canada. Additionally, government insiders suggest that even if an invitation were extended, Modi’s attendance remains unlikely due to serious unresolved bilateral tensions, especially surrounding pro-Khalistan activities in Canada and Ottawa’s perceived leniency on the matter.
The Khalistan Movement: A Thorn in India-Canada Relations
What is the Khalistan Movement?
The Khalistan movement seeks to create a separate Sikh homeland carved out of India’s northern Punjab state. Though the movement has largely diminished in India since its peak in the 1980s, some diaspora communities, especially in Canada, the UK, and Australia, continue to vocalize support for it.
India has long accused Canada of turning a blind eye to extremist elements within its Sikh population who promote secessionist ideologies. New Delhi sees this as a direct threat to India’s sovereignty and national security.
Diplomatic Flashpoints
In 2023 and 2024, relations between India and Canada reached new lows. One of the most significant flashpoints came in September 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly alleged that the Indian government was involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader and Khalistan supporter, in British Columbia. India strongly denied the accusations and labeled them “absurd and politically motivated,” resulting in the expulsion of diplomats from both countries and the suspension of visa services.
The issue remains unresolved and continues to cast a long shadow over bilateral ties.
Modi’s History with G7 Summits
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a regular guest at G7 summits since 2019, representing India’s growing global stature and its alignment with democratic nations on critical issues like climate change, counterterrorism, and economic development. His presence has also served as a platform for bilateral engagements with world leaders, including those of the United States, Japan, and the European Union.
Modi’s absence this year, therefore, is not just a scheduling anomaly but a significant diplomatic signal.
India’s Strategic Alignment with the West
Under Modi’s leadership, India has actively strengthened its engagement with Western nations, especially through forums like the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and bilateral agreements on defense and technology. G7 participation served to reinforce India’s image as a responsible stakeholder in the international rules-based order.
Analysts now worry that this exclusion—or self-imposed absence—may weaken India’s visibility on critical global issues, particularly amid rising tensions between democratic nations and authoritarian powers like China and Russia.
Canadian Government’s Silence Raises Questions
Neither the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office nor the official G7 summit spokesperson has issued a definitive statement regarding Modi’s invitation status. This silence has only fueled speculation and added an air of uncertainty around the summit.
Some Canadian commentators believe that excluding India from the guest list may be a quiet rebuke to New Delhi over recent tensions, while others suggest it reflects a recalibration of foreign policy under Canada’s new government, possibly distancing itself from controversial partners.
Still, there are concerns that excluding India—now the world’s most populous country and a major economy—could undermine the G7’s credibility as a forum for global cooperation.
Implications for India-Canada Relations
Worsening Diplomatic Climate
The apparent exclusion from the G7 summit may exacerbate already fragile India-Canada relations. Diplomatic dialogue has been minimal since 2023, and trade talks have stalled. While both countries have maintained back-channel communication, progress has been limited by mutual distrust and domestic political pressures.
Canada’s large and politically influential Sikh diaspora continues to shape its foreign policy calculus, while India maintains a zero-tolerance stance on Khalistan-related activities. These dynamics have created a diplomatic stalemate with few easy solutions.
Economic and Trade Ramifications
India and Canada had been negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), but talks were abruptly paused following the diplomatic fallout in late 2023. Modi’s absence from the G7 could stall any efforts at reviving these discussions, further delaying mutual trade benefits and investment flows.
Canada is among the top destinations for Indian students and immigrants. However, the chilling of bilateral relations could affect visa processing, student exchanges, and investment flows in key sectors such as technology, agriculture, and education.
Expert Opinions on the Diplomatic Rift
Political analysts and international relations experts are divided on the meaning and long-term impact of Modi’s likely absence.
Prof. Rajiv Bhatia, a former Indian diplomat and policy analyst, commented:
“Whether it’s an intentional snub or not, the symbolism is strong. India’s exclusion from such a critical platform will not go unnoticed—either by domestic audiences or international observers.”
Canadian academic Dr. Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-India relations, added:
“This isn’t just about one summit. It reflects a broader discomfort in the relationship that requires active management from both sides.”
Looking Ahead: Is Reconciliation Possible?
While the absence of a G7 invitation is a setback, diplomatic channels between India and Canada are not entirely closed. There is still an opportunity for both countries to engage in confidence-building measures, including:
- Appointing special envoys to restart dialogue
- Rebuilding trust through cultural and educational exchanges
- Strengthening counter-extremism cooperation
- Clarifying mutual red lines, particularly on diaspora politics
With global challenges such as climate change, artificial intelligence regulation, and food security requiring multilateral cooperation, India and Canada have more to gain from cooperation than conflict.
Conclusion: A Diplomatic Crossroads
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s non-invitation or non-attendance at the 2025 G7 summit in Canada is more than a scheduling decision—it is a reflection of the fractured relationship between two key democracies. While tensions over the Khalistan issue remain a dominant factor, broader geopolitical and strategic considerations must also come into play.
As the world watches, the coming weeks will reveal whether this diplomatic gap will widen into a rupture or whether both nations can find a way forward.
