Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Calgary on Tuesday for the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, marking a crucial development in India-Canada relations following recent diplomatic tensions.
PM Modi’s visit to Canada—the first since the 2023 controversy over Canadian allegations involving the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—signals a possible thaw in bilateral ties. India strongly rejected Ottawa’s claims of Indian agents’ involvement and expressed deep concern over the presence of extremist elements on Canadian soil. The standoff had escalated into the expulsion of senior diplomats by both countries.
Modi’s arrival coincided with US President Donald Trump’s unexpected decision to leave the summit early amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on X that Trump would return to Washington after dinner with world leaders due to the Israel-Iran conflict.
PM Modi’s Canadian stop is part of his three-nation official tour, which began in Cyprus and will conclude in Croatia. The tour underscores India’s expanding global diplomatic footprint and its focus on strategic partnerships.
In Cyprus, Modi completed a historic visit—the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over two decades. During this landmark engagement, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides awarded him the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cyprus’s highest civilian honor for foreign dignitaries.
India and Cyprus reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism, particularly in light of the recent attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Both nations condemned terrorism in all forms and emphasized dismantling terrorist infrastructure and funding sources.
“The visit highlighted the enduring friendship and trusted partnership between our two countries,” said MEA Secretary (West) Tanmay Lal. The discussions included trade, defence, fintech, maritime shipping, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) initiative, further reinforcing Cyprus’s potential role as India’s gateway to Europe.
PM Modi noted the importance of Cyprus in India’s growing relationship with the EU, especially with Cyprus set to assume the Council of the European Union presidency in early 2026. Both sides stressed the timely completion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
The visit also revisited historical ties, including India’s advocacy for Cypriot independence and cooperation in the Non-Aligned Movement and Commonwealth platforms. Cyprus reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council.
After wrapping up in Cyprus, Modi now turns his focus to the G7 Summit—a gathering of the world’s major economies: the US, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the EU. This marks PM Modi’s sixth consecutive appearance at the summit, underscoring India’s global diplomatic and economic significance.
As Modi prepares for high-level discussions in Kananaskis, the world watches closely, with multiple geopolitical flashpoints—from the Middle East conflict to Indo-Pacific security—likely to shape the summit’s agenda.
His participation also offers an opportunity to reset India-Canada ties amid past frictions while reinforcing India’s role as a responsible global leader advocating peace, stability, and development.