Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming G7 summit scheduled to take place in Alberta, Canada, later this month.

This invitation comes amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, rooted in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023 in British Columbia.

Following a phone conversation between the two leaders, Carney's office made the announcement.

During this communication, the prime ministers discussed the traditionally strong ties between Canada and India, emphasizing their deep social connections and significant economic partnerships.

The G7 summit, consisting of the world's major advanced economies, is expected to feature other notable attendees, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Modi confirmed his participation in the summit through a post on the social media platform X, expressing his pleasure at receiving Carney's call, congratulating him on his recent election victory, and thanking him for the invitation.

The background of the diplomatic rift stems from accusations made by the then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, alleging that the Indian government was involved in Nijjar's assassination, a claim that has been firmly denied by India.

Nijjar was a prominent proponent of establishing a separate Sikh state in India, and he had been under scrutiny by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism-related activities.

Canada is home to the largest Sikh community outside India, with approximately 800,000 individuals of Sikh descent residing in the country.

This demographic plays a significant role in the cultural and social fabric of Canadian society.