Congress Criticizes Modi’s Absence from G7 Summit
The Indian National Congress has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated absence from the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada, describing it as a significant diplomatic setback for India. The summit, scheduled to take place from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, will gather leaders from major global economies to discuss pressing international issues.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted that, unlike previous years, India has not received an invitation to the summit. He emphasized that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had been a regular invitee to G8 summits, where his contributions were valued. Ramesh pointed out that the tradition of inviting Indian Prime Ministers continued after 2014, making the current omission notable.
The strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada are believed to be a contributing factor to this development. Tensions escalated following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in 2023 of a potential Indian link to the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This incident led to a series of diplomatic expulsions and a cooling of bilateral ties.
In his critique, Ramesh also referenced what he termed as a previous diplomatic misstep—allowing the United States to mediate between India and Pakistan, which he believes undermined India’s longstanding foreign policy principles.
The G7 Summit is expected to address critical global challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia. Leaders from countries such as the USA, France, the UK, Japan, Italy, Germany, and Canada will be in attendance, along with invited leaders from Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Ukraine, and Australia.
Prime Minister Modi’s absence from this significant international forum marks the first time in six years that he will not be participating in a G7 Summit, raising questions about India’s current diplomatic engagements and its position on the global stage.
