Latest news with #GroupofSevenSummit
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Newsweek Magazine July 04, 2025 Issue
In Focus Kananaskis, Alberta: Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney addresses guests on June 17 during the Group of Seven Summit in Alberta. He vowed 'total solidarity with Ukraine' to its leader Volodymyr Zelensky (right). They were joined by, from left, France's Emmanuel Macron, European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, NATO chief Mark Rutte, Japan's Shigeru Ishiba, Germany's Friedrich Merz and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. 4 PHOTOS
Japan Forward
24-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
India Joins G7 Summit Outreach as Economy and Ambitions Grow
Recently, the Group of Seven Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada afforded the leaders of the G7 countries an opportunity to seek common ground on a host of challenges facing these countries and the world as a whole. In some ways, the summit was overshadowed by the early departure of United States President Donald Trump. However, it afforded the other world leaders an opportunity to discuss threadbare the important issues plaguing the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also invited to the Summit for the G7 Outreach Session. This invitation clearly underscored the reset in India's ties with the host nation, Canada. Diplomacy between the two countries had been in a free-fall during the term of Canada's previous prime minister, Justin Trudeau. Their ties had almost broken down in light of claims from the Canadian side about Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. His death occurred in British Columbia, Canada, in 2023. Meanwhile, the Indian side has expressed strong reservations about Canada harboring anti-India elements on its soil. Since 2019, India's prime minister has been invited to every G7 summit. Those invitations were in keeping with India's growing stature on the international stage. India is now officially the fourth biggest economy in the world, after the US, China, and Germany. At the same time, it has remained one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world. In fact, India has close ties with most of the G7 countries, including Japan. India is also the most populous country in the world. As such, it represents a huge market for businesses in the developed nations. This opportunity is something that the developed countries cannot ignore. G7 leaders (left) listen to outreach countries as PM Modi speaks. (©G7 Canada media files) During his address at the G7 Summit, PM Modi outlined some of the major issues facing the countries of the Global South. This particular visit also afforded him an opportunity to discuss pertinent global issues with his counterparts from the G7 countries and other world leaders invited to the outreach sessions. However, the most important takeaway from the Kananaskis G7 Summit was the meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney. The two leaders agreed to reboot the ties between their countries. They also agreed on the return of high commissioners to each other's capital cities and the resumption of bilateral negotiations, which had been stalled. As well, they agreed to resume talks on a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Prime Minister Modi met on the sidelines. In a tweet, the Indian PM noted the "insightful deliberations with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during the G7 Summit in Canada." He also stated that "India and Japan remain committed to further deepening bilateral ties across various sectors." PM Modi met his G7 outreach partner counterparts as well. In 2025, those included the leaders of South Korea, Australia, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, and Germany. India's stance on terrorism was a key point emphasized in PM Modi's address. He illustrated his point, saying: "There must be no place for double standards when it comes to terrorism. Recently, India faced a brutal and cowardly terrorist attack. The terrorist attack that took place on April 22 was not just an assault on Pahalgam, but a direct attack on the soul, identity, and dignity of every Indian. It was an assault on all humanity." Prime Minister Modi meets the President of Mexico on the side of the G7 summit. (©Prime Minister's Office) While overall the meeting offered important opportunities. However, with President Trump's early return to Washington, PM Modi missed a chance for a face-to-face meeting with the US President. At the same time, it should be noted that ties between the two countries have moved in a different direction since Modi visited the US early in 2025. India has not been too happy with the American stance during the recent India-Pakistan clashes and afterwards. PM Ishiba's visit to the G7 Summit also afforded him his first in-person talks with the new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. They reported that the two leaders agreed to promote the "stable development" of ties. This is an early and positive signal of how the ties might develop under a new dispensation in Seoul. During the run-up to the elections in South Korea, it was believed that the new President could reverse some of the decisions of his predecessor. However, early signs suggest that it may not be the case. That is good news for the Japanese economy. Both are reeling from tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Already, 24% tariffs have been slapped on Japan, although they are currently paused, despite Tokyo being one of America's closest allies. Notably, the G7 Summit communiqué did not call for a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. This, in itself, shows that when it comes to pressing global issues, the G7 countries are themselves divided. At the same time, the G7 remains the most powerful body in the world. It still has the power to come up with solutions to the problems that plague the world as a whole. In the future, India would like to become an even more important part of the G7 outreach partners. This seems natural, given India's growing economic prowess and military heft, and its huge young population. After all, as they say, demography is destiny. Author: Dr Rupakjyoti Borah Dr Rupakjyoti Borah is a Senior Research Fellow with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies. The views expressed here are personal. Keywords/tags:
The Hill
20-06-2025
- The Hill
Canadian rescuers rush to a remote part of Banff park following reports that a rock slide hit hikers
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Rescue crews, police and paramedics rushed to the remote Canadian Rocky Mountain region of Banff National Park late Thursday after receiving reports that a group of hikers were hit by a rock slide, causing possible injuries and deaths. 'The initial report indicated there were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and/or fatalities,' Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl. Gina Slaney said in a news release. Parks Canada said in a statement that it is responding to a report of 'a serious rockfall incident with involvement near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park.' The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) northwest of Calgary. It is also about 137 kms (85 miles) away from where leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump met at the Group of Seven Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta this week. Temporary road closures were expected on the Icefields Parkway near Bow Lake in order to allow responders to work. Parks Canada has asked visitors to avoid the area. STARS Air Ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille said two of its units were deployed around 2 p.m. She said the organization would have more to say after crews returned to their bases in Edmonton and Calgary. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a 9-kilometer (six mile) route open year-round, running along the edges of Bow Lake. It's considered a moderate challenge for hikers and day-trippers include families. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was deeply saddened. 'We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details,' she said in a post on social media.
Japan Forward
20-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
Ishiba Must Not Allow Prolonged Japan-US Trade Negotiations
このページを 日本語 で読む As Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba flails and Japanese diplomacy deteriorates, we cannot help but feel disheartened. Ishiba managed to meet with United States President Donald Trump for about 30 minutes in Kananaskis, western Canada, host site of the 2025 Group of Seven Summit. However, their failure to reach an agreement on tariffs on the sidelines of the G7 was disappointing. At the same time, it was hardly unexpected. There is one issue that should not be overlooked but went unmentioned. Didn't the two leaders discuss the Middle East crisis and the fierce ongoing fighting between Israel and Iran? Japan relies on the Middle East for over 90% of its crude oil. Also, many tankers bound for Japan sail through the Persian Gulf. Therefore, the conflict threatens to disrupt oil shipment routes. For Japan, responding to the situation in the Middle East should be a major issue on a par with tariff negotiations. The summit discussions clearly fell short. After all, why would you meet with the president of your ally and not discuss the Middle East? G7 working session on the global economy. (©Canada G7 website) For the Prime Minister not to disclose what was actually discussed would also be strange. Japan could be viewed as sidelined in the Middle East situation. Either way, hasn't the Prime Minister demonstrated a lack of resolve in shouldering responsibility for the nation's destiny? Ishiba did comment on the failure to reach an agreement in the tariff negotiations, however. "We are exploring the possibility of reaching an agreement in line with the national interest," said the Prime Minister. Ishiba is right not to be so eager to achieve results that he makes easy concessions on issues vital to Japan. Poor outcomes on issues such as US tariffs on Japanese automobiles could undermine the national interest. It was already apparent that only the two leaders would be able to break the deadlock in negotiations. Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa has already participated in a total of six Cabinet-level meetings with his US counterparts. However, they failed to reach an agreement. So, why is there no target date for when an agreement will be reached, even after the Ishiba-Trump meeting? There is also concern that the Trump administration's emphasis on negotiations with China may dampen momentum for an agreement with Japan. Initially, the administration said Japan-US negotiations were its top priority. We should not let this situation prolong the Japan-US trade negotiations. Moreover, we cannot allow the negative impact of Trump's tariffs on the Japanese economy to spread. The US administration's high tariff policy approach is fluid. Trump has declared that there may be further increases in tariffs on motor vehicles. However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated the American side may extend the current reciprocal tariffs suspension. What we need from the Ishiba administration is a strategic and proactive approach to pursuing national interests. It cannot allow Japan to be constantly at the mercy of the US side. Likewise, there is no need to be passive or to think that the outcome of any agreement depends on Trump. Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
San Francisco Chronicle
20-06-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Canadian rescuers rush to a remote part of Banff park following reports that a rock slide hit hikers
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Rescue crews, police and paramedics rushed to the remote Canadian Rocky Mountain region of Banff National Park late Thursday after receiving reports that a group of hikers were hit by a rock slide, causing possible injuries and deaths. 'The initial report indicated there were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and/or fatalities,' Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl. Gina Slaney said in a news release. Parks Canada said in a statement that it is responding to a report of 'a serious rockfall incident with involvement near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park.' The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) northwest of Calgary. It is also about 137 kms (85 miles) away from where leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump met at the Group of Seven Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta this week. Temporary road closures were expected on the Icefields Parkway near Bow Lake in order to allow responders to work. Parks Canada has asked visitors to avoid the area. STARS Air Ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille said two of its units were deployed around 2 p.m. She said the organization would have more to say after crews returned to their bases in Edmonton and Calgary. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a 9-kilometer (six mile) route open year-round, running along the edges of Bow Lake. It's considered a moderate challenge for hikers and day-trippers include families.
