As PM Modi visits Canada for the G7 Summit, the Indian diaspora expresses immense excitement and hope for renewed Indo-Canadian ties. The visit is seen as a pivotal moment to heal past tensions and strengthen bilateral cooperation, trade, and cultural relations under new leadership in Canada.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit Canada for the G7 Summit, the Indian diaspora in the North American country is filled with a sense of excitement, pride, and hope. His visit, the first since relations between the two nations soured in 2023, is being seen by many as an opportunity to reset and strengthen bilateral ties.
PM Modi will be attending the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. This diplomatic gesture has been welcomed warmly by Indian-origin residents in Canada, who view the visit as a critical turning point in India-Canada relations.
For the Indian diaspora, Modi’s arrival represents more than just a high-profile diplomatic mission—it is an emotional and symbolic moment. Shilpi, a member of the community, expressed her elation in an interview with IANS. “PM Modi coming to Canada is a moment of great joy and celebration for us. I can’t even express how happy we are. It feels like our own is coming to our land. I am very, very excited and very, very happy about it.”
Beyond the personal excitement, many community members also believe the visit signifies the potential for enhanced political, economic, and cultural ties. Shilpi added, “It’s a very positive sign that our new Prime Minister has invited PM Modi here. This will strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations, and trade will also advance. We will also feel happy and secure.”
The diaspora’s optimism also reflects broader global perceptions about India’s rising stature under PM Modi’s leadership. Praising the Indian government’s achievements, Shilpi highlighted how India has emerged as a global technology hub, especially in the IT sector, and made notable advancements across various fields.
Echoing similar sentiments, Kajal, another Indian-origin Canadian, emphasized the importance of the invitation. “I feel very proud that even though we live in Canada, PM Modi has been invited to the G7 Summit. That in itself is a big deal,” she said. “It is nice that PM Carney invited PM Modi, and the latter accepted the invitation. It is a positive sign for India-Canada relations following the recent tensions.”
Kajal further pointed to India’s transformation under Modi. “India was seen as an underdeveloped country before PM Modi came to power. Under his leadership, India has seen unprecedented development and has become the fourth-largest economy in the world. Now it is no longer seen as an underdeveloped nation but a very respectable one.”
The sentiment of renewed hope was also shared by Tripti Soni, another member of the Indian community in Canada. “It is a matter of great pride for every Indian. As an Indo-Canadian, I think PM Modi’s visit will help repair the relationship between India and Canada. We are hoping that Canada’s relationship with India will be good now.”
India-Canada relations reached a low point in 2023 after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made unverified allegations implicating Indian agents in the killing of a separatist figure in British Columbia. India strongly denied the accusations and, in turn, criticized Canada for failing to act against extremist elements targeting Indian diplomats.
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Since then, both countries have avoided substantial diplomatic engagement. However, with PM Modi’s upcoming visit and the new leadership under Prime Minister Mark Carney, there appears to be a willingness on both sides to move past the tensions and usher in a new era of cooperation and mutual respect.
For the Indian diaspora in Canada, PM Modi’s presence symbolizes not just a diplomatic thaw, but a celebration of their identity and growing influence in both nations. His visit is being embraced as a moment of pride, unity, and renewed friendship between India and Canada.
