Reset with Canada, Trump tariffs, Iran-Israel tensions to dominate as Modi leaves for 3-nation tour

In his first visit abroad since the strikes on Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave on Sunday (June 15, 2025) for a three-nation tour to Cyprus, Canada and Croatia.
| Photo Credit: ANI

In his first visit abroad since the strikes on Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave on Sunday (June 15, 2025) for a three-nation tour to Cyprus, Canada and Croatia.He will be attending the G-7 summit of Western-allied developed economies during the tour, which will conclude on June 19. Cyprus and Croatia are part of Mr. Modi’s refuelling stopovers. He will be first Indian Prime Minister to visit Cyprus since 2002, and the first to visit Croatia since the country was founded in 1991.

However, it is the visit to Canada, 10 years after he visited last, as well as his meetings on the sidelines of the G-7 summit, where India is one of five special invitees, which will be watched most closely. Mr. Modi is expected to speak about India’s fight against terrorism at every stop, including holding Pakistan accountable at the UN, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other multilateral institutions. 

“This would be the Prime Minister’s sixth consecutive participation in the G-7 Summit. At the Summit, PM (Modi) will exchange views with leaders of G-7 countries, other invited outreach countries and Heads of International Organisations on crucial global issues, including energy security, technology and innovation, particularly the AI-energy nexus and Quantum-related issues,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Saturday.

Mr. Modi will meet with Canadian PM Mark Carney, which the Ministry referred to as a chance to explore a “reset” in acrimonious ties, and to restore diplomats in each other’s capitals. In particular, Mr. Carney has said in the Canadian Parliament that he hopes to take forward a “law enforcement dialogue” with Mr. Modi, indicating the Nijjar case and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) allegations against Indian government officials, including Home Minister Amit Shah would be discussed. India will raise concerns on Khalistani threats to Indian diplomats.  

While the Ministry has yet to confirm Mr. Modi’s other bilateral meetings, this would be the first time Mr. Modi will see U.S. President Donald Trump since Mr. Trump claimed credit for mediating the India-Pakistan truce, which India has denied. Mr. Modi will also see French President Emmanuel Macron, who plans to co-host a now-postponed UN conference on the two-state solution for Palestine along with Saudi Arabia, and hopes for India’s support.

The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, the Russia-Ukraine war and the economic disruptions caused by U.S. tariffs are all expected to dominate what is expected to be a fractious discourse at the G-7 Summit on June 16, given the divide between the U.S., and other members Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.K. on these issues. In addition, leaders of Australia, Brazil, India, South Africa, Mexico and Ukraine will attend an “Outreach Session” on the June 17, focused on security issues, energy security and AI, and building trade and investment partnerships.

On Sunday, Mr. Modi will depart for Nicosia, Cyprus, for talks with President Nikos Christodoulides, where he is expected to address business leaders and discuss plans for the India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC) that have been stalled due to the situation in Israel since 2023. Mr. Modi’s visit to Cyprus, which has a decades-old territorial tussle with neighbour Turkiye, whose forces have occupied Northern Cyprus since 1974, is also seen as a sharp message from New Delhi to Ankara over Turkiye’s support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. 

“The visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union,” the MEA said.

Mr. Modi will travel to Zagreb on the final part of the tour, for talks with Croatian PM Andrej Plenković, on June 18. “The visit to Croatia will also underscore India’s commitment to further strengthening its engagement with partners in the European Union,” the MEA said, indicating talks on improving bilateral trade — which at present is just $300 million, technological cooperation, and facilitating the movement of Indian labour and professionals for contractual work.