PM Modi To Miss G7 For First Time In 6 Years? Here's What Report Says

Sikh separatists opposed Modi's invitation, citing India's alleged non-cooperation in the Nijjar investigation. This would be Modi's first G7 absence since 2019.

PM Modi is likely to skip the G7 Summit in Canada due to strained relations over Khalistan separatists and lack of an official invitation.

Source : PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to skip the G7 Summmit this year, a first in six years. This year's G7 Summit is being hosted by Canada from June 15 to June 17. 

According to a report by the Times of India, there is no official invitation yet from Canada for the meeting that will be held in Alberta. 

As per the report, Modi would have anyway not travelled to the North American country as India is not sure about the new government's stance in Ottawa over the concerns about the activities of Khalistan separatists. 

Any last-minute invitation is unlikely to be considered by India because of logistical constraints. Any likely efforts by the separatists to disrupt the visit is another reason why India would not accept any eleventh-hour invitation, if it comes, as per the report. 

Canada has not yet officially announced the names of the guest leaders invited to the summit. However, reports by Canadian media state Ottawa has invited the leaders of Australia, Ukraine, South Africa, and Brazil. This will be the first time that Modi will not be at the meeting of the economically most advanced group of nations since France invited him to the summit in 2019. 

Sikh Separatists Oppose Invitation 

Last week, Sikh separatists called upon the Mark Carney government not to invite Modi to the Summit, alleging India's reluctance to cooperate in the investigations into the killing of separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 

Last year, Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau blamed "agents" of the Government of India for Nijjar's killing on Canadian soil without backing up the claim. India has said it repeatedly demanded evidence which has not been provided by the Canadian side. 

Carney has so far not spoken explicitly on the subject but, while talking about his plans to use trade to reset ties, he said that Canada is not responsible for the strain on the relationship with India.