Khalistan, Oil, and Realpolitik: The G7 Invite and the UN’s Growing Disconnect

By Annika Jain

The G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, showed once again that the group is now more about diplomacy than deciding the direction of the global economy. Canada, this year’s host, invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend as a guest. The invitation came despite tensions between the two countries. Last year, Canada accused India of being linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a supporter of Khalistan, a Sikh separatist movement that India classifies as a terrorist organization. India denied the claim. Since then, diplomatic ties between the two countries were scaled back.

Still, the decision to invite Modi reflects practical thinking. India is the world’s fifth-largest economy and is expected to become one of the biggest new buyer of oil in the next few years. Canada, rich in oil and natural resources, wants to diversify its exports beyond the United States. Both countries have clear reasons to cooperate on energy. Canadian officials said Modi’s participation would focus on energy security, critical minerals, and infrastructure.

Modi accepted the invitation and said India is willing to work with Canada based on mutual respect. Some Sikh advocacy groups in Canada protested the invitation, but their criticism is seen by many as politically motivated. These groups often support Khalistan, which is considered a threat to India’s unity and national security. The Canadian government stood by its decision, pointing to India’s growing role in global trade and energy.

While the G7 still includes many wealthy countries, today’s economic data shows a shift in global power. According to the International Monetary Fund, China will contribute about 23 percent of global growth between 2025 and 2030, and India around 15 percent. That’s almost 40 percent between just two countries. Other fast-growing nations like Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Türkiye are also expected to contribute more than some G7 members like Japan and Italy. These numbers show that the G7 no longer represents where real growth is coming from.

During the summit, U.S. President Donald Trump left early and skipped final meetings on climate and development. His early departure drew criticism and highlighted growing differences within the group.

At the same time, international institutions are also facing questions about their role. The United Nations recently made Pakistan the chair of its Counter-Terrorism Committee. The appointment raised concerns, since Pakistan has often been accused of turning a blind eye to extremist groups. Many see this as another example of how global organizations are losing credibility and becoming disconnected from real-world priorities.

In response to these changes, countries like India are focusing more on regional alliances and new platforms like BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and other trade partnerships. These groups are based on current global realities, not old arrangements from the past.

Canada’s invitation to Modi fits into this larger picture. Even with past disagreements, India and Canada are beginning to engage again where their interests align. The G7 still matters as a space for conversation, but it no longer leads the global economy.

Sources

Bloomberg Economics. (2024). Global GDP forecast 2025–2030. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com

CNN. (2018, June 9). Trump leaves G7 summit early, skipping key climate session. https://www.cnn.com

Financial Times. (2025). G7 summit guest list reflects shifting global priorities. https://www.ft.com

Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs. (2024). List of banned terrorist organizations. https://www.mha.gov.in

International Monetary Fund. (2024). World Economic Outlook: April 2024. https://www.imf.org

Jain, R. (2025, June). The irrelevant G7 [Post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritesh-jain-63a83315/

India Today. (2025, June). Canada invites Modi to G7: Economic logic outweighs political tension. https://www.indiatoday.in

Reuters. (2025, June). Canada invites India’s Modi to G7 summit amid Sikh backlash. https://www.reuters.com

The Guardian. (2025, June). Canada’s Modi invite sparks outrage among Sikh groups. https://www.theguardian.com

United Nations Press. (2025). Pakistan assumes chairmanship of UN Counter-Terrorism Committee. https://press.un.org