Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has faced significant backlash for his invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 summit scheduled for June 15-17 in Kananaskis, Alberta.

This decision comes on the heels of findings from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which concluded that the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist, was orchestrated by elements within the Indian government.

Carney refrained from explicitly discussing Modi's potential involvement in this case, emphasizing the sensitivity of ongoing legal processes related to Nijjar’s assassination.

Four Indian nationals residing in Canada have been charged with his murder, a case that has severely strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India.

In a statement, Carney highlighted the importance of India, citing it as the world’s fifth-largest economy and the most populous country, essential to various global supply chains.

He articulated that inviting Modi was important for discussions surrounding key topics such as energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for the invitation, noting in a statement the potential for collaboration between the two democracies, guided by mutual respect and shared interests.

The relationship between Canada and India took a significant downturn following the expulsion of each country’s top diplomats last year in response to Nijjar's murder, which Canadian law enforcement has connected to alleged Indian efforts involving extortion and overreaching influence in Canadian matters.

The decision to invite Modi drew immediate criticism from community organizations, notably the World Sikh Organization, which termed the invitation a betrayal of values.

The organization’s president, Danish Singh, argued that inviting a leader amid allegations of foreign interference and transnational repression contradicts Canadian principles of justice.

In conjunction with this controversy, Carney’s administration has been in active communication with leaders from other nations, including a recent call with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, focusing on improving ties strained by a trade dispute.

Both sides have expressed interest in regularizing channels of communication and addressing issues like the illegal production of fentanyl.

Furthermore, reports indicate that Carney is engaged in negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve ongoing trade tensions stemming from tariffs imposed on Canadian steel and aluminum, with confirmation from Ontario Premier Doug Ford regarding discussions with Trump's team.