Modi Accepted Canada's Investigation Demands to Secure G7 Invite Amid Nijjar Killing Tensions

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Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi Leveraging Pahalgam Attack, Operation Sindoor, and Attack on Pakistan for Electoral Advantage. Photo: Narendra Modi / PIB

Modi Accepted Canada’s Investigation Demands to Secure G7 Invite Amid Nijjar Killing Tensions

G7 Invite Conditional: India’s PM Modi reportedly secured his G7 outreach invitation by agreeing to Canada’s demands for law enforcement cooperation regarding the Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing investigation.
Canadian Backlash: Canadian PM Mark Carney faced significant domestic criticism for inviting Modi, particularly from Sikh groups, amid the ongoing murder investigation.
India’s Public Silence: Despite reports of conditions, PM Modi’s public statement about the G7 invitation did not mention any agreement to Canadian investigation demands.
Ongoing Investigations: Canada emphasizes that Modi’s invitation does not detract from the paramount importance of the independent investigation into Nijjar’s killing and the rule of law.

By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | June 10, 2025

Kananaskis, Alberta – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to the upcoming G7 outreach meeting in Canada next week reportedly hinged on his government’s agreement to increased law enforcement cooperation with Canada, a condition set by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. This development comes amid ongoing diplomatic strain and public accusations concerning India’s alleged involvement in the 2023 killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

According to Canadian media reports, including an anonymous federal Liberal source cited by The Toronto Star, Prime Minister Carney placed “conditions” on the invitation extended to Modi. While the specific details of their conversation remain undisclosed, Carney publicly confirmed a couple of days ago that the invitation followed “important” bilateral progress, specifically mentioning an agreement for “continued law enforcement dialogue” as a factor in extending the invite to Modi. This statement was made as Carney faced domestic criticism for inviting Modi so soon after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused Indian agents of involvement in Nijjar’s murder.

However, Prime Minister Modi’s public statement regarding his telephonic call with Carney did not include any mention of accepting the Canadian investigation condition or the law enforcement dialogue.

The G7 summit, scheduled for June 15-17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, will prioritize “strengthening peace and security, countering foreign interference as well as transnational crime and improving joint responses to wildfires.” The focus on countering foreign interference directly addresses Canada’s concerns regarding the Modi government in the wake of the Nijjar assassination.

Reports also suggest that Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, speaking from Paris, emphasized that Modi’s invitation “does not and should not detract from the importance of the independent investigation that is ongoing (into Nijjar’s killing) and the rule of law considerations which are absolutely paramount.” This reiterates Canada’s commitment to accountability despite diplomatic engagement.

Relations between Canada and India have been severely strained since Canada publicly accused the Modi government of involvement in Nijjar’s murder. Initially, Modi was not invited to the G7 Summit due to escalating accusations by both Canada and the United States of India’s alleged involvement in transnational repression, including assassination plots on foreign soil.

Then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had publicly stated in October 2024 that the Government of India had not cooperated with the investigation into Nijjar’s killing, with Modi himself alleged to be involved. Furthermore, the U.S. has accused Modi’s secret agents of attempting to kill another Sikh activist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on American soil.

The resumption of law enforcement dialogue is viewed as a step toward rebuilding ties. Still, Canadian officials consistently stress that justice and ongoing investigations remain central to their agenda.

[ ਵੀਡੀਓ: ਨਰਿੰਦਰ ਮੋਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲੇ G7 ਸੰਮੇਲਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਉਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੱਦਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ? ]

[ Modi Not Invited to G7 Summit in Canada as India Accused of Transnational Repression Crimes ]

[ Nijjar Killing Probe Shadows Modi’s G7 Invitation to Canada: PM Carney Faces Backlash ]

Prime Minister Carney has been facing strong backlash over his decision to invite Modi, particularly from Sikh advocacy groups. When directly questioned about his belief regarding Modi’s potential role in Nijjar’s murder, Carney declined to comment, citing the inappropriateness of discussing ongoing legal processes.

He highlighted that a legal process related to the investigation is “literally underway and quite advanced in Canada,” with four Indian nationals currently residing in Canada having been charged in connection with Nijjar’s death.

The bilateral relationship has also been strained by Canada’s accusations of India’s interference in its elections, which India has dismissed. Diplomatic expulsions have occurred on both sides.

The reported understanding between Canada and India, leading to Modi’s G7 invitation, suggests a cautious diplomatic overture aimed at de-escalating tensions. While the agreement on law enforcement cooperation signals a potential path forward, Canada’s unwavering commitment to the Nijjar murder investigation and its pursuit of justice underscore that significant challenges remain in fully restoring the strained bilateral relationship.

The G7 meeting will serve as a critical platform to observe whether this diplomatic engagement translates into concrete progress on the issues that have deeply fractured Canada-India ties.

By Rakesh Raman, who is a national award-winning journalist and social activist. He is the founder of a humanitarian organization RMN Foundation which is working in diverse areas to help the disadvantaged and distressed people in the society.