In Kananaskis, Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 51st G7 Summit, his sixth consecutive time attending this esteemed annual assembly of world leaders. Leaders from the G7 countries—the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada—as well as representatives from the European Union and a number of invited partner nations attended the summit.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and India’s acting high commissioner, Chinmoy Naik, ceremoniously welcomed PM Modi at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge in Alberta.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa were among the notable international figures in the summit’s group photo. Presidents Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, Lee Jae-myung of South Korea, Anthony Albanese of Australia, Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, Antonio Guterres, and Ajay Banga of the World Bank were among the other prominent guests. It’s noteworthy that U.S. President Donald Trump left the meeting early to keep an eye on events in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel.
Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to fortifying international ties during a series of high-level bilateral discussions held on the fringes of the summit. Among his diplomatic activities were:
During their meeting, PM Modi and President Lee Jae-myung talked about strengthening the India-Korea Special Strategic Partnership. They focused on regional and international concerns as well as commerce, shipbuilding, green hydrogen, emerging technologies, culture, and people-to-people ties.
Modi congratulated President Claudia Sheinbaum on her historic election win during their first meeting. They also talked about ways to improve trade, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, digital innovation, and shared views on regional and global issues, including the Global South’s priorities. In addition, he complimented President Sheinbaum for Mexico’s assistance in India’s war against terrorism and invited her to visit India.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Modi emphasized the strategic and amicable relationship between Australia and India.
Prime Minister Mark Carney greeted Modi and emphasized the value of India-Canada collaboration for world advancement.
The two countries’ partnership was further strengthened by Modi’s interactions with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In a pull-aside meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, Modi reaffirmed the close ties between France and India.
Prime Minister Modi’s formal three-nation tour, which started in Cyprus and will end in Croatia, included his arrival in Calgary, Canada. He was greeted ceremoniously at the Calgary airport upon his arrival and stated his intention to meet with international leaders at the summit, convey his opinions on significant global issues, and highlight the Global South’s goals.
This tour highlighted India’s expanding importance on the international scene and was PM Modi’s first visit to Canada in ten years. His involvement in the G7 Summit demonstrated India’s dedication to global cooperation, multilateralism, and support of the issues facing the Global South. India’s proactive attitude to enhancing international connections across regions and sectors was further evidenced by the series of bilateral discussions held on the sidelines of the summit.
The 51st G7 Summit at Kananaskis was characterized by significant bilateral discussions, vigorous diplomatic engagement, and a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to global cooperation and the Global South’s priorities by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
