Former Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya has expressed his enthusiasm for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Canada for the G7 Summit, scheduled to take place from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta. Arya emphasized the importance of India as an "indispensable partner" for Canada and underscored the need for a stronger, more structured bilateral relationship rooted in shared values.
Arya highlighted the common ground between Canada and India, citing democracy, pluralism, and a rules-based international order as fundamental values that unite the two nations. He emphasized India's growing global influence, strategic importance, economic strength, and demographic weight, asserting that these factors make India an essential partner for Canada, both in the Indo-Pacific region and on a global scale.
The former MP believes that it is in Canada's best national, economic, strategic, and geopolitical interest to cultivate a deeper and more structured relationship with India, encompassing trade, investment, policy coordination, and civil society engagement. Arya's statement reflects a broader sentiment within Canada regarding the significance of its relationship with India.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has also emphasized India's crucial presence at the G7 summit. Discussions at the summit are expected to cover a wide range of critical issues, including security, energy, the digital future, and supply chains. India's role in global supply chains is considered particularly vital, making its participation in these discussions all the more important.
Prime Minister Carney extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi during a phone call, marking a significant step towards mending relations between the two countries. Modi acknowledged the invitation and thanked Carney, signaling a willingness to engage and collaborate on issues of mutual interest. This interaction is particularly noteworthy as it represents the first high-level exchange between the two nations since relations experienced strain.
The G7 Summit in Kananaskis will provide a platform for leaders to address pressing global challenges and explore opportunities for cooperation. Canada has identified key priorities for its G7 presidency, including building stronger economies, protecting communities and the world, building energy security, accelerating the digital transition, and securing partnerships for the future.
The annual G7 summit gathers leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with the European Union also participating. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first G7 Summit. India is among the countries invited to participate.
Canada and India have a long-standing bilateral relationship built on shared traditions of democracy, pluralism, and strong interpersonal connections. Canada is home to a large Indian diaspora, with approximately 4% of Canadians being of Indian heritage. These deep cultural and political ties are reinforced by a growing network of dialogues, agreements, and working groups at both ministerial and official levels.
While bilateral trade between India and Canada reached $9.36 billion in 2023, there is potential for further growth. Both countries are actively working towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement to deepen their commercial relationship.
