G7 Summit Concludes with No Joint Communiqué; Canada-India Relations Improve

The recent G7 summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, concluded without a joint communiqué, a departure from typical practices of such high-level meetings. The summit, which took place on June 17, 2025, saw Canada struggling to align the United States with the stronger Ukraine support voiced by its European and Japanese allies. However, amidst this diplomatic stalemate, Canada and India reached a significant agreement to restore diplomatic ties, a move that could reshape the geopolitical landscape in the region.

The absence of a unified statement on the war in Ukraine was particularly notable. Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada had prioritized Ukrainian support during the summit, even inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend. A senior Canadian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that the U.S. sought milder language regarding Ukraine than what was proposed by other G7 members. This divergence in stance posed a challenge for Carney, who was keen on presenting a strong front against Russian aggression. The U.S. administration's ongoing attempts to negotiate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine further complicated the situation, leading to a watered-down conclusion on the matter.

Despite these challenges, Canada announced a commitment of $4.3 billion in new support for Ukraine, which includes $2 billion for military aid and a $2.3 billion loan aimed at rebuilding critical infrastructure, to be financed through interest on frozen Russian assets. French President Emmanuel Macron praised Carney's leadership in maintaining the G7's cohesion, remarking, "He held the group together," despite the complexities of the discussions.

The summit also highlighted concerns over transnational repression, with G7 leaders condemning aggressive foreign interference tactics. This issue is particularly pertinent as Canadian intelligence has raised alarms over alleged Indian government involvement in activities targeting Canadian citizens, including the recent murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

As part of the bilateral talks, Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to restore high commissioners and regular diplomatic services. Modi characterized his participation as a crucial opportunity to foster India-Canada relations based on mutual democratic values. Their meeting underscored the importance of cooperation on various fronts, including energy transition and innovation in artificial intelligence.

In addition to these discussions, the G7 leaders also released separate statements addressing various global challenges, including migrant smuggling and the potential use of AI to enhance public services. The summit concluded with a commitment to collaborate on critical mineral projects and a wildfire charter aimed at improving response strategies to natural disasters.

The implications of the summit's outcomes extend beyond immediate diplomatic relations, as they highlight the shifting dynamics in global governance and the challenges of achieving consensus among major powers. Moving forward, analysts will be closely watching how Canada navigates its foreign relations amidst these complexities, particularly in its dealings with both the U.S. and India.

This report was informed by insights from various sources, including official government statements and expert analyses. Further developments in Canada-India relations will be crucial to observe, especially given their shared interests in addressing common global challenges.