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Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Croatia on Tuesday as the last destination of his three-nation tour, following a high-profile and “productive” visit to Canada, where he attended the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. It was his first Canadian visit in more than a decade. At the 51st G7 Summit, PM Modi spoke at the Outreach Session on Energy Security and interacted with global leaders on major global issues, while firmly representing the Global South and expressing concerns regarding terrorism and abuse of AI technologies.
PM Modi also met several world leaders and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and the economy. Among the leaders that he met were his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.
Key Highlights of PM Modi’s G7 Address In Canada
1. Stance Against Terrorism: No Room for Double Standards
In a strongly worded message, PM Modi said terrorism is “an enemy of humanity” and slammed nations that selectively respond to terrorism. Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, he stated, “There should be no place for double standards on terrorism. The terrorist attack that happened on 22nd April was not only an attack on Pahalgam, but also on the soul, identity, and dignity of every Indian. It was an attack on the entire humanity.” “Terrorism is an enemy of humanity. It is against all countries that uphold democratic values. For global peace and prosperity, our thoughts and policies must be clear – if any country supports terrorism, it will have to pay the price for it. On one hand, we are quick to impose all kinds of sanctions based on our own preferences. On the other hand, countries that openly support terrorism are rewarded,” he added.
2. Energy Security and Sustainability
Addressing the Outreach Session, PM Modi underlined the need for energy security through sustainable and green routes. He praised India’s leadership of international initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
3. India’s Economic Growth and Climate Pledge
PM Modi addressed India’s development model of the four as, availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability. “Even though the world’s fastest-growing large economy, India, has met its Paris Agreement pledges in advance,” he stated.
4. Leadership of the Global South
Criticising the uneven effect of global crises on developing countries, the Prime Minister stated, “The Global South bears the brunt of uncertainty, and conflict, particularly in food, fuel, fertiliser, and finance.” He reasserted India’s determination to express its concerns at the international level.
5. AI Regulation and Deepfake Threat
PM Modi also raised concerns about the increasing misuse of AI, especially deepfakes. “Deepfake is a source of great concern. There should be clear watermarking or announcement of AI-generated content,” he stated. He urged international cooperation to handle new technologies responsibly.
India And Canada To Reset Relations After Diplomatic Freeze
In another significant move, India and Canada have decided to take measured steps to normalise bilateral ties, which had deteriorated in recent months. During a crucial bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, PM Modi met Canadian PM Mark Carney. The two leaders agreed to exchange new High Commissioners to the capitals of each country, indicating a diplomatic thaw. As Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “The Prime Ministers agreed to take calibrated steps to restore stability to this very important relationship.” He also mentioned that senior and working-level talks would resume shortly on a broad spectrum of issues. Both countries will further cooperate in clean energy, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, food security, and critical minerals. People-to-people relations and trade connectivity were also key areas they discussed.
Concluding his activities in Canada, PM Modi tweeted on X (formerly Twitter), “Concluding a productive Canada visit. Grateful to the Canadian people and Government for hosting a successful G7 Summit, which saw enriching discussions on various global matters.” The Prime Minister has now departed for Croatia, his final destination on a multi-country diplomatic visit that also included Cyprus. The Croatian visit aims to consolidate bilateral relations and increase cooperation in trade, technology, and cultural exchange.
