India at the G7 Summit: Diplomacy

Introduction – The Rumour Mill and Reality

For days, speculation swirled across diplomatic corridors and media channels: Was Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited to the G7 Summit in Canada? Had he refused? Was India snubbed? Opponents fueled these rumors, quickly concluding that Modi was not going. But, as has often been the case, premature political jibes met a wall of facts.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially confirmed his participation in the G7 Summit at Kananaskis, Canada, later this month. The confirmation followed a personal call from Canadian Prime Minister Mark J. Carney, who extended the invitation as G7 Chair.

This development not only silenced critics but also reaffirmed India’s central place at the high table of global diplomacy.

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Behind the Scenes – The Real Story

Contrary to some sensational narratives, diplomatic invitations—especially at the head-of-state level—do not work like party RSVPs. They follow an intricate choreography:

1.    Preliminary consultations begin at the foreign secretary level.

2.    These discussions evaluate availability, security concerns, and agenda alignment.

3.    Only after alignment, does the formal prime ministerial invitation take place.

Sources indicate that the Indian side did not initially confirm Modi’s availability due to ongoing security assessments, especially after recent global events and high-level intelligence alerts. India, known for uncompromising security protocols around its head of government, acted with caution—particularly for an international gathering on foreign soil.

Once those concerns were addressed and necessary diplomatic preconditions met, the official confirmation followed.

Read my previous blog on the same subject- https://www.pradeepmahaur.in/2025/06/why-prime-minister-modi-skipped-g-7.html 

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Political Opportunism vs National Interest

In this short span of ambiguity, the Indian opposition, particularly the Congress Party, took to social media and press briefings with claims that PM Modi had been snubbed. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh even declared it a “diplomatic bungle” and compared it with India allowing Donald Trump to offer mediation on Kashmir in the past.

He wrote:

“The tradition of inviting Indian Prime Ministers continued after 2014. But now, for the first time in 6 years, ‘Vishwaguru’ will not be in attendance at the Canada summit.”

What this statement truly revealed, however, was not the status of India’s diplomacy, but rather a troubling trend of deriving joy from potential national setbacks. There is a line between opposing a government and mocking your own country’s position on the world stage.

In mature democracies, opposition parties often stand united on foreign policy, especially when their national leader represents them abroad. Unfortunately, parts of India’s opposition seem more comfortable echoing narratives that weaken the country’s international stature.

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Canada’s G7 Chair Comments – Why India Must Be Present

Prime Minister Mark Carney underlined the rationale behind India’s inclusion. In a press interaction, he said:

“India is the fifth largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous in the world, central to a number of global supply chains. It makes sense to have India at the table.”

He added that apart from economic importance, India and Canada have now entered into a renewed law enforcement dialogue, and bilateral strategic progress further justifies India’s seat at the table.

This statement not only rebuked speculation about exclusion but also reinforced India’s role as a critical global actor.

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India’s Meteoric Rise – Why the World Listens Now

India today is no longer a passive observer in global forums—it is a decision influencer. With its expanding economic, technological, and diplomatic prowess, the world seeks India’s views on everything from climate change to maritime security.

Let’s put India’s rise in perspective:

• Fifth-largest economy (set to officially become fourth after this financial year).
• The most populous democracy, and a stable political ecosystem amidst global turbulence.
• A leader in space missions, defense innovation, and digital public infrastructure.
• Host of the historic G20 Summit 2023 in Delhi, which was hailed as one of the most productive in recent history.

When Prime Minister Modi represents India at global summits, he carries with him the aspirations of 1.4 billion people and the credibility of a country that is trusted by East and West alike.

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G7 and India's Strategic Role

The G7 Summit is not just about economic discussions. It also addresses:

• Global security threats (like cyber warfare and terrorism)
• Energy partnerships and clean tech
• Supply chain realignment post-COVID and post-Ukraine war
• Geopolitical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

India’s presence in such discussions is no longer optional—it’s necessary. Without India at the table, any solution risks being incomplete.

Moreover, India is a linchpin in the Quad (with the US, Japan, and Australia), a peacekeeper at the UN, and a first responder in regional crises—from earthquakes in Nepal to evacuations in Sudan.

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Why Modi Said Yes—And Why It Matters Now

Modi’s final confirmation sends a calibrated diplomatic message:

1.    India is not desperate for attention. It joins global forums on its own terms, with dignity.

2.    Security comes first. No global invitation will override India’s responsibility toward the PM’s safety.

3.    India is indispensable. The world cannot discuss economic architecture or geopolitical crises without involving India.

At a time when China is flexing muscle, Russia is entangled in Ukraine, and America is focused tariff game, India emerges as a voice of stability, balance, and clarity.

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A Diplomatic Win Beyond Optics

To critics, this episode may look like a flip-flop. But to the seasoned observer, it’s classic realpolitik—India ensured its interests were safeguarded before joining the Summit. The Modi government didn’t bow to pressure, nor did it play into media frenzy.

In a world fractured by war, misinformation, and economic volatility, India's conduct in this situation shows restraint, maturity, and foresight. Prime Minister Modi’s attendance at the G7 in Canada will not just be symbolic—it will be strategic.

And to those who still question India’s place on the global stage: the invitation wasn’t just extended—it was earned.

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