India a must at G7 table: Mark Carney on inviting PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Canadian PM Mark Carney defended the last-minute invitation to his counterpart Narendra Modi for the G7 summit, saying it made sense for Canada and other members to invite the "5th largest economy" and the most populous country in the world that's central to a number of supply chains.While Modi's travel programme is not finalised yet, he's expected to reach Alberta in time for the G7 outreach session on June 17.Other G7 members keen on seeing Modi's participation, hints Carney The G7 summit begins on June 15. Asked repeatedly about why Canada would have Modi over when the probe into the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar is still on, Canadian PM Mark Carney said there had been progress on law enforcement dialogue which "recognises issues of accountability".Carney's predecessor Justin Trudeau had wrecked the India-Canada relationship by alleging the Indian govt's role in the murder without, as India continues to maintain, sharing any evidence. "Bilaterally, we have now agreed-importantly-to continued law enforcement dialogue. So, there's been some progress on that, which recognises issues of accountability. I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi in that context, and he has accepted,'' said Carney, responding to questions from the media about the issue and the invitation to Modi.

"We are a country of the rule of law. The rule of law is proceeding as it should in Canada, and I am not going to disrupt that process,'' he added.Carney hinted that other G7 members were keen on seeing participation by the Indian leader. "First, we are in the role - Canada is in the role - of the G7 chair, and in those discussions, as agreed with our G7 colleagues, we're addressing important issues like energy security, the digital future, and critical minerals, among others.

Partnerships in building infrastructure in the emerging and developing world are also part of the agenda,'' he said.

"In my capacity as G7 chair, and in consultation with others - some of whom also make these determinations - it makes sense to include India, the fifth-largest economy in the world, effectively the most populous country, and central to a number of those supply chains,'' he added.