India Boycott G7 Summit in Canada, PM Modi not Attend G7 Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada, scheduled for June 15–17, 2025, in Alberta. If confirmed, this would mark the first time in six years that he skips the summit, a gathering of the world’s leading industrialized nations. The decision reflects the current diplomatic chill between New Delhi and Ottawa, and signals that high-level engagement remains off the table until bilateral relations improve.
According to sources familiar with the matter, there has been no formal invitation extended by Canada to India regarding Modi’s participation in the summit. On the Indian side, there also appears to be no strong inclination to attend, with officials pointing to multiple unresolved issues that make such a visit unlikely at this point.
One of the main reasons behind the Indian leadership's reluctance is the prevailing security environment. Concerns persist over the activities of pro-Khalistani separatist groups in Canada, which have been known to organize demonstrations and call for international pressure on India. These groups have publicly opposed Modi’s participation in any Canadian-hosted events unless India cooperates with investigations into the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in Canada in 2023.
That incident caused a sharp deterioration in India-Canada ties. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing—an allegation New Delhi strongly rejected as baseless. In response, both nations expelled diplomats and froze much of their diplomatic engagement. Although Canada now has a new prime minister, Mark Carney, who has expressed a desire to restore relations with India, the road to reconciliation remains complicated.
Indian officials maintain that security assurances and a meaningful improvement in bilateral dialogue must precede any visit by the Prime Minister. The Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly stated in recent weeks that it has no information on any potential visit by PM Modi to Canada.
Meanwhile, several other global leaders—including those from Australia, South Africa, and Ukraine—are expected to attend the G7 Summit. Modi’s absence would be a rare break from his recent trend of participating in such high-level multilateral forums. Since 2019, he has consistently represented India at the G7, even when the country was not a formal member, using the platform to voice India's positions on global economic and geopolitical issues.
The situation reflects deeper concerns in India about the atmosphere in Canada for Indian dignitaries. Past incidents of aggressive protests and threats linked to extremist elements have raised red flags in New Delhi. Officials argue that the safety of the Prime Minister cannot be compromised, especially when relations between the two governments are still mired in mistrust.
In essence, PM Modi’s likely decision to skip the 2025 G7 Summit is more than just a scheduling issue—it’s a reflection of a fractured diplomatic relationship. Until both countries are able to rebuild trust, resolve sensitive issues like the Nijjar case, and address security concerns, high-profile visits and broader cooperation are expected to remain on hold.
