Prime Minister Narendra Modi has touched down in Canada for the G7 Summit at Kananaskis, and let’s just say—it’s not your usual diplomatic affair. After a decade-long gap, this return to Canadian soil comes at a time when global tensions are high, alliances are shifting, and eyes are sharply fixed on how New Delhi positions itself on the world stage.

From AI-powered innovation to energy security, the Summit’s agenda reads like a who’s-who of 21st-century challenges. And PM Modi isn’t just here to pose for the group photo. He’s set to roll up his sleeves for a series of bilateral meetings that could very well reboot India’s rocky relationship with Canada.

A Summit with More Than Just Speeches

Modi arrived in Canada from Cyprus as part of his three-nation tour, stepping into the G7 spotlight for the sixth consecutive year. His invite from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signals more than just diplomatic courtesy—it’s a fresh chapter in a story that’s had its fair share of drama.

Just over a month ago, India executed Operation Sindoor, a military response targeting terror outfits in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The timing of this visit, following that operation, adds an extra edge to Modi’s interactions at the Summit, particularly on the security front.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, discussions will span AI-energy synergy, quantum tech breakthroughs, and collaborative responses to geopolitical challenges. Given the global landscape—from the Russia-Ukraine war to escalating tensions in West Asia—this Summit isn’t just symbolic, it’s strategic.

Rekindling a Frosty Friendship

Now here’s where the plot thickens. Just last year, India-Canada relations hit rock bottom over the Hardeep Singh Nijjar controversy. India accused the Trudeau-led government of turning a blind eye to pro-Khalistani extremism operating from Canadian soil. The fallout? Diplomatic expulsions and a long chill in bilateral talks.

But 2025 brought a wind of change. With Mark Carney—an economist-turned-politician—taking over as Prime Minister, there’s a visible thaw. New Delhi has welcomed Carney’s leadership as a chance to restore “mutual trust and sensitivity,” and this Summit might just be the big reboot moment.

Back-channel talks between security officials have already resumed, and there’s buzz around appointing new high commissioners. In the words of a senior Indian official, “We’re exploring pathways—not potholes—this time.”

G7 Turns 50, India Still on the Guest List

Canada’s presidency marks the 50th anniversary of the G7, and the summit’s Outreach segment continues to feature India as a valued partner. Modi’s presence affirms India’s rising global stature, not just as the world’s fifth-largest economy, but as a nation shaping tomorrow’s tech, climate, and trade narratives.

India has now attended 11 Outreach Summits—from France in 2003 to Italy in 2024. And with the 51st edition underway, discussions are expected to zoom in on flashpoints like the Russia-Ukraine war, US-China trade tensions, and Israel-Iran hostilities.

Also making headlines is Donald Trump’s arrival in Kananaskis. The former U.S. President is set for face-offs (or warm hugs—who knows?) with Carney, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, adding even more political spice to the summit stew.

Trade, Diaspora, and the India-Canada Equation

India and Canada may have had their diplomatic disagreements, but their economic and cultural links are solid gold. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods hit a healthy USD 8.6 billion, nearly split down the middle between exports and imports. The services sector saw even more robust activity, clocking in at USD 14.3 billion.

Then there’s the Indian diaspora—Canada’s second-largest international community. Nearly 1.8 million Canadians of Indian origin, including around 770,000 Sikhs, form a vital part of the country’s social and political fabric. Add to that over a million NRIs—students, skilled workers, and temporary residents—and the Indo-Canadian connection becomes more than a statistic. It’s a story of ambition, migration, and shared dreams.

Yet, recent immigration curbs and student visa bottlenecks have rattled that equation. With Indian students making up 41% of Canada’s international student population in 2022, any disruption affects both countries—emotionally and economically.

What’s Next?

PM Modi’s meetings in Canada could be game-changers—not just for India-Canada ties, but for India’s role in the shifting global order. The G7 Summit is more than a diplomatic red carpet; it’s a chance for India to flex its geopolitical muscles, pitch its innovation prowess, and reintroduce itself as a leader that plays smart, bold, and fair.

As the world watches, one question hovers: Can this visit turn the tide in favour of collaboration over confrontation?

Time—and diplomacy—will tell.