Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to skip the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada, marking his first absence from the global gathering in six years, Indian media reported citing diplomatic sources.
The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa following the 2022 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Sources indicate that no formal communication has taken place between the two nations regarding Modi’s potential visit, with security concerns also playing a role in the decision.
The G7 Summit, scheduled for June 15-17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, will see participation from member nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US) as well as invited guests like South Africa, Ukraine, and Australia. However, India’s absence would underscore the chilly state of Indo-Canadian relations, which worsened last year after Canada expelled six Indian diplomats over alleged involvement in Nijjar’s killing.