G7 and the Indian voter: Has Modi’s invitation acceptance created ripples at home?

A summit and a storm?

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed his participation in the G7 Summit in Canada, the political temperature in India momentarily spiked. Opposition parties sprang into action, newsrooms hummed with speculation, and social media erupted with contrasting opinions. But beyond the headlines and hashtags lies a more nuanced question: Has this acceptance caused any political damage to Modi’s domestic standing?

The answer lies not in studio debates or Twitter threads but in the pulse of India’s towns, villages, and urban centres. This article explores whether Modi’s core support base, so crucial to his political capital, felt let down, or whether the G7 invitation is being viewed through a more strategic lens of national pride and global positioning.

Understanding the G7 context

The G7, comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, is an exclusive club of the world’s largest advanced economies. While India is not a formal member, it has often been invited as a guest, reflecting its rising geopolitical relevance. An invitation to this forum is both a diplomatic endorsement and a strategic platform for global influence.

This year, however, the backdrop was complex. India’s relations with Canada remain icy, particularly after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s public insinuations about India’s alleged involvement in the killing of a separatist figure. The accusations were met with firm denials from New Delhi, which described them as politically motivated and unfounded.

Against this backdrop, the initial absence of a G7 invite for India provided fuel to the opposition. Congress leaders and critics were quick to call it a “diplomatic snub” and claimed it exposed the fragility of India’s foreign policy under the Modi government.

The opposition’s misstep

The opposition, sensing an opportunity, aggressively framed the issue. Headlines were filled with rhetoric about India being diplomatically isolated. A narrative was built suggesting that Modi’s strongman image abroad had collapsed in the face of realpolitik. Critics claimed that Trudeau’s allegations had effectively sidelined India on the global stage.

But the political calculation proved premature. It was soon confirmed that Modi had indeed been invited and that he would be attending the summit in Apulia, Italy. What’s more, reports emerged that Trudeau himself had reached out to Modi regarding the summit.

In one swift development, the opposition’s charge collapsed. The diplomatic “snub” they had accused the government of turned into a non-story. Instead of denting the government’s image, their criticism now appeared hasty and misinformed.

Voter sentiment – An absence of outrage

What followed was a telling silence. Among Modi’s traditional support base, there was no uproar, no disillusionment. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, in Karnataka and Gujarat, Modi’s voters did not interpret the G7 acceptance as a compromise. In fact, many saw it as a reaffirmation of India’s importance on the global stage.

This isn’t surprising. Modi’s electoral support has never been based solely on tactical diplomacy. It is rooted in an image, carefully cultivated, of a leader who takes India from the periphery to the centre of global conversations. His voters admire strength, not sulking. For them, turning down the G7 invitation would have been interpreted as an act of weakness, not protest.

One voter from Maharashtra summed it up: “Why should India skip an important forum just because of one country’s attitude? We are bigger than this now. Modi is right to go.”

Diaspora dissent, not domestic discontent

While domestic sentiment remained steady, disapproval came from Sikh diaspora organizations abroad. The World Sikh Organization in Canada publicly objected to Modi’s G7 participation, alleging human rights violations and political suppression of dissenting voices.

However, such opposition, though vocal, does not move the needle in Indian electoral politics. Most Indian voters see these diaspora-based groups as politically motivated, particularly in the context of growing tensions with pro-Khalistan elements abroad. The Indian public is acutely aware of how Trudeau’s government has appeared to accommodate these fringe voices. In fact, criticism from such groups only hardens the resolve of many Modi supporters.

Modi’s diplomatic style—Presence over protest

One of the key features of Modi’s foreign policy approach is his emphasis on visibility. Whether at BRICS, QUAD, SCO, or bilateral summits, Modi makes it a point to project India as a self-assured power.

The G7 is no different. By accepting the invitation, even with Trudeau in the room, Modi signals that India does not operate on petty grievances. It engages globally, asserts its place, and does so without flinching in the face of criticism.

This move also aligns with India’s long-term strategic goal: to be a voice for the Global South. Modi’s leadership at the G20 in 2023, where the African Union was inducted as a permanent member, is a testament to this approach. Walking away from the G7 would have undermined that credibility.

Modi’s voters: What do they value?

The BJP’s electoral base values nationalism, strength, and international recognition. Modi’s consistent messaging of India as a “Vishwaguru” (world teacher) and a decisive power finds resonance with these sentiments. His voters see in him a reflection of India’s aspirations: confident, unapologetic, and ready to lead.

Had Modi refused to attend the summit, the message would have been one of retreat. Attending, despite tensions, sends a far stronger signal: India won’t be dictated to, nor will it boycott important global platforms because of individual grievances.

This clarity in posture appeals to the aspirational middle class, the working poor, and the urban youth, core constituencies that have repeatedly backed him.

Lessons for the opposition

In their eagerness to land a blow, opposition parties misread both the international situation and public sentiment. Instead of waiting for developments to unfold, they rushed to judgment. The result was a self-inflicted credibility loss. Their criticism now appears to have been less about foreign policy and more about scoring political points.

A more nuanced approach, acknowledging the complexities of diplomacy while pointing out long-term strategic concerns, might have earned them some traction. Instead, their narrative was undercut by events and reality.

Why does this moment matter?

Modi’s acceptance of the G7 invitation is more than a diplomatic development. It’s a signal of India’s evolving self-image. Gone is the defensiveness of the past. Today’s India engages on its terms, even in difficult rooms, and does not need validation from adversaries or approval from critics.

This evolution resonates with a country that increasingly sees itself as a civilizational power, not just a post-colonial state. In such a national psyche, rejecting an invitation because of Trudeau would have been seen as small-minded. Accepting it and standing tall is viewed as statesmanship.

Conclusion: A calculated step, not a misstep

The G7 Summit, for India, is more than just diplomatic theatre. It is a platform to advocate for developing nations, discuss climate equity, negotiate trade pathways, and reinforce its global presence. Modi’s attendance solidifies India’s position, not as a participant by invitation, but as a stakeholder by stature.

His voters have understood this. Far from being antagonized, they are reassured. The silence is not apathy; it is approval. The absence of backlash is not ignorance; it is alignment.

As Modi boards the plane to Canada, he carries with him not just the aspirations of a nation but also the trust of a voter base that believes he will speak not just to the world, but for India.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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