Jaishankar to Hold Bilaterals with Most Countries at G7 Meet in Canada

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to have over a dozen engagements at the upcoming G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Canada, including key bilateral talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his host, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, officials confirmed.

According to a senior Indian official, Jaishankar’s schedule includes bilaterals with “almost all” participating nations during the two-day meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Red Fort Blast May Shape India’s Agenda

The official added that the recent deadly bomb blast near Delhi’s Red Fort could influence India’s approach at the global meet if ongoing investigations confirm terror links. “Any indication of a terrorism angle will naturally shape the tone of India’s interventions,” the official said.

G7 Meet at Niagara-on-the-Lake

The meeting will take place at Niagara-on-the-Lake, a scenic resort town near the iconic Niagara Falls, with 15 foreign ministers attending. Canada is hosting the event and extended invitations to several outreach nations, including India.

Last week, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said in a statement that Canada was “pleased to host ministers from several outreach countries, reflecting shared global priorities and partnerships.”

Besides the G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union — the outreach invitees include India, Australia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine.

Key Issues on Agenda

According to the GAC statement, the meeting aims to advance discussions on global economic and security challenges, including maritime security, energy security, critical minerals, and economic resilience.

Third Jaishankar-Anand Meeting in 45 Days

As host, Anand is expected to hold bilateral talks with several attendees, including Jaishankar. The two ministers last met in New Delhi last month, issuing a detailed joint statement, and earlier on September 29 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

If they meet again in Canada, it will mark their third meeting in just 45 days, underscoring the momentum in India–Canada diplomatic engagement despite recent tensions.