India central to key supply chains; must be part of G7 summit: Canadian PM

India is the fifth largest economy in the world and it is central to a number of critical global supply chains Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said arguing that the leadership of the country must be part of discussions at the upcoming G7 summit reported news agency PTICarneys comments came after some of his political opponents in Canada criticised him for inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit in view of a probe into allegations of Indian links to the killing of a Khalistani separatist in 2023Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted Carneys invitation to attend the G7 summit during a phone conversation on FridayCanada is hosting the G7 summit in the Alberta province from June 15 to 17 in its capacity as the current chair of the groupingTo a specific question on the case of killing of proKhalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023 Carney told reporters that it is not appropriate for him to comment as the legal process in the case is underwayThe Canadian prime minister said the G7 summit will deliberate on a range of key issues including energy security digital future critical minerals and on partnerships in building infrastructure in the emerging and developing world reported PTICarney suggested that he extended the invitation to PM Modi after talking to other G7 member countriesThere are certain countries that should be at the table for those discussions he said when asked why PM Modi was invited when there have been allegations of Indian links to the Nijjar case reported PTIIndia is the fifth largest economy in the world effectively the most populous country in the world It is central to a number of those supply chains it is at the heart of a number of those supply chains so it makes sense he saidWithout elaborating Carney noted that India and Canada have agreed to continue law enforcement dialogueBilaterally we have now agreed importantly to continue law enforcement dialogue There has been some progress on thatrecognises issues of accountability he saidCanadas NDP party slammed Carney for extending the invitation to PM ModiThis decision is profoundly troubling it saidThe IndiaCanada relations hit rock bottom following then Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations in 2023 of a potential Indian link to the killing of NijjarIn October last year India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa attempted to link them to the Nijjar case India also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomatsHowever Liberal Party leader Carneys victory in the parliamentary election in April triggered hopes for reset of the relationshipIn the last few months the security officials of India and Canada resumed contacts and both sides were looking at the possibility of appointing new high commissionersIndia had accused Trudeaus government of allowing proKhalistani elements to operate from Canadian soilAfter Trudeaus exit New Delhi said it hoped to rebuild ties with Canada based on mutual trust and sensitivityWith inputs from PTI