Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s conspicuous absence from the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada marks a significant diplomatic rupture in New Delhi’s recent trajectory of global engagement. For the first time since 2019, India will not participate in the prestigious gathering of the world’s leading industrialised nations—an omission that reflects the deepening diplomatic standoff between India and Canada over allegations of extrajudicial activities tied to Sikh separatist figures abroad.
G7 Summit Without India: A Notable Break
Scheduled to be held from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, the G7 summit brings together leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union, alongside global institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, and United Nations. India has attended every G7 summit since 2019 as a special invitee, positioning itself as an emerging partner to the West amid shifting global power dynamics. This year, however, Indian media outlets including The Times of India and India Today confirm that Modi has not received an invitation—an unprecedented move.
While the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has claimed “no information” regarding Modi’s attendance, India Today reports that India remains disinclined to participate, citing unresolved diplomatic tensions and security concerns. The summit’s guest list reportedly includes South Africa, Ukraine, and Australia—all of whom have confirmed participation—further isolating India diplomatically.
Diplomatic Fallout Over the Nijjar Killing
The core of the diplomatic standoff lies in the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and vocal advocate for Khalistan—the movement demanding an independent Sikh homeland. Canada publicly accused Indian intelligence agents of orchestrating the assassination on Canadian soil, triggering an unprecedented diplomatic clash between Ottawa and New Delhi.
In response to what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described as “credible allegations,” Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the head of mission. India retaliated by reducing Canada’s diplomatic footprint in New Delhi and suspending visa services for Canadian citizens for several weeks.
Tensions escalated further in October 2024 when Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison revealed to a parliamentary panel that Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah was allegedly involved in a broader plot to target Sikh separatists abroad. Morrison disclosed that the Canadian government had shared this intelligence with a U.S.-based newspaper to increase transparency and international pressure.
Strategic and Symbolic Implications
India’s exclusion from the 2025 G7 Summit carries both strategic and symbolic weight. After claiming significant diplomatic prestige from hosting the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023, and being a recurring invitee to the G7 since 2019, Modi’s absence this year represents a rare break in India’s growing global footprint. The lack of invitation, particularly by a fellow G20 and Commonwealth member like Canada, underscores the severity of bilateral tensions and the unease of G7 members with India’s alleged covert operations abroad.
Notably, Canada’s decision not to invite Modi appears to be a calibrated diplomatic signal rather than a procedural oversight. Ottawa has not only reiterated its allegations but has doubled down on intelligence disclosures implicating top Indian officials. Modi’s participation would have likely drawn protest or heightened tensions, especially given the expected presence of Canadian Sikh leaders and advocacy groups at side events surrounding the summit.
Regional and Global Repercussions
India’s ongoing discord with Canada may have wider consequences for its image as a responsible democratic actor and a partner to the West. While New Delhi remains strategically valuable to the United States and its allies—particularly as a counterweight to China—the unresolved allegations of transnational repression challenge that narrative. They echo similar concerns raised by watchdogs over India’s increasing use of state power against dissenters and minorities both domestically and abroad.
For South Asia, Modi’s G7 exclusion also presents a moment of geopolitical recalibration. Pakistan has long expressed concerns about India’s extraterritorial operations, especially in Balochistan and other regions. The international spotlight on India’s alleged actions in Canada lends credibility to these concerns, offering Pakistan an opportunity to advocate for greater scrutiny of Indian covert activities in multilateral forums.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Modi’s absence from the 2025 G7 Summit is more than a diplomatic snub—it is a reflection of India’s increasingly contested global posture. As Ottawa holds firm on its allegations and India remains defiant, the diplomatic freeze between the two countries appears to be deepening. Whether this signals a temporary downturn or a long-term strategic divergence between India and the West remains to be seen, but the immediate consequence is clear: India is no longer unquestioningly embraced as a democratic partner, and its ambitions for global leadership may now face renewed scrutiny.
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