Experts say given the increasing economic heft of the country, India cannot be outside the major policy issues confronting the West, an opinion Canada's Carney seconded on Friday. India surpassed Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy in May this year.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has defended his decision to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit, stating it "made sense" given India's economic stature and global role. Despite ongoing tensions over the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar,

Mark Carney's remarks came as Canadian political rivals criticised his invite to PM Modi amid a probe into alleged Indian links to the 2023 Nijjar killing.