Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Calgary on Monday to attend the outreach session of the G7 Leaders’ Summit, taking place in Kananaskis, a scenic resort nestled in the Canadian Rockies. He is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday afternoon at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. The meeting was officially confirmed by the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office on Monday evening.
Upon his arrival, Modi shared a message on X, stating, “Landed in Calgary, Canada, to take part in the G7 Summit. Will be meeting various leaders at the Summit and sharing my thoughts on important global issues. Will also be emphasising the priorities of the Global South.”
He was welcomed with a ceremonial reception at Calgary airport, where India’s acting High Commissioner Chinmoy Naik was among the dignitaries present to receive him.
Modi’s Tuesday schedule is expected to be tightly packed with a series of bilateral meetings and informal interactions before the outreach session officially begins. Prime Minister Carney will welcome global leaders and representatives of international organisations, followed by the traditional family photograph.
Later in the day, Carney is set to host a working luncheon focused on energy security, which Modi will also attend. The meeting is drawing significant attention, especially in the context of India-Canada relations.
Ties between the two nations deteriorated in September 2023 after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a possible connection between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. India dismissed the claims as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Tensions escalated in October when Canada requested the waiver of diplomatic immunity for six Indian officials linked to investigations into alleged “violent criminal activity.” In response, India withdrew the officials—including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma—and expelled six Canadian diplomats.
Since Mark Carney assumed office earlier this year, signs of a diplomatic thaw have emerged. His invitation to Modi for the G7 summit, despite pushback from pro-Khalistan groups, has paved the way for renewed engagement. The leaders are expected to discuss matters such as enhanced intelligence cooperation and expanding trade ties during their meeting.
