India is not a member of the G7, and yet the Canadian government’s decision to extend an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the 2025 G7 Summit has stirred deep political and social controversy. This move is widely seen as a calculated diplomatic manoeuvre influenced by external pressures and geopolitical strategy rather than shared democratic values or bilateral goodwill. Many analysts believe that Canada, under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership, acted under the influence of powerful G7 allies such as the United States, France, and Germany, who view India as a crucial partner in counterbalancing China’s growing influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. India’s position as the world’s fifth-largest economy and a rising force in global trade, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and critical minerals makes it too significant for G7 nations to ignore, even in the face of serious human rights concerns.
Domestically, however, the invitation has been met with fierce backlash, especially from Canada’s large and politically active Sikh community. The timing of the invitation, so close to the anniversary of the assassination of prominent Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which Canadian intelligence linked to Indian agents, has been seen as insensitive and deeply hurtful. The World Sikh Organisation and multiple gurdwaras have condemned the move, calling it a betrayal of Canadian values and justice. They argue that the government’s decision to prioritise diplomacy and trade over truth and accountability signals a willingness to ignore state-sponsored violence on Canadian soil. Protests have been announced in Ottawa and at the G7 venue itself, with Sikh leaders warning that such actions by the Canadian government may erode trust between the Sikh community and federal institutions.
Critics also point out that this invitation undermines Canada’s credibility on the global stage when it comes to human rights and the rule of law. By welcoming a foreign leader whose government is under suspicion in a murder investigation on Canadian soil, Canada sends a troubling message that economic interests can outweigh moral responsibility. Moreover, some opposition politicians are questioning whether this signals a broader shift in Canada’s foreign policy—one that is more transactional, less values-driven, and increasingly influenced by global power dynamics. While Prime Minister Carney and his government maintain that engaging India is necessary for Canada’s long-term strategic interests, many see this as a dangerous precedent, where justice is delayed—or even denied—for the sake of political expediency.