Kananaskis, Canada, June 17, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly departed the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, a day earlier than planned, citing the escalating Israel-Iran conflict as the primary reason for his return to Washington. However, posts on X and regional media have fueled speculation that Trump’s early exit was motivated by a fear to face-to-face meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Calgary on Monday evening to attend the summit’s outreach session.
The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirmed Trump’s departure on Monday night after a dinner with G7 leaders, stating, “Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight.” Trump had been scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday, but these engagements were canceled. The president’s decision followed his controversial Truth Social post urging Tehran’s 10 million residents to “immediately evacuate” amid Israel’s ongoing strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.
Social media platforms, particularly X, have been abuzz with unverified claims suggesting Trump’s exit was strategically timed to avoid Modi. Posts allege that Trump was wary of confronting Modi over recent U.S. statements on India-Pakistan tensions and his push for a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran conflict, which New Delhi has not endorsed. One user claimed, “Trump can’t face Modi after his ceasefire shenanigans which have no takers in New Delhi,” while another suggested Trump feared Modi’s “loser face” after diplomatic disagreements. These claims remain unconfirmed, and no official statements from the White House or Indian government support the narrative of personal or diplomatic friction between the leaders.
The G7 Summit, hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, was overshadowed by the Israel-Iran conflict, with discussions on trade, Ukraine, and energy security taking a backseat. Modi, attending as a guest alongside leaders from Mexico, Ukraine, and others, was set to address global issues like energy security and the priorities of the Global South. His arrival in Canada, however, sparked protests in Calgary by members of the Indian diaspora, particularly supporters of the Khalistan movement, who displayed flags and effigies criticizing Modi’s government.
Trump’s early departure has drawn mixed reactions. Some G7 leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, expressed frustration over the lack of unity, particularly after Trump refused to sign a joint statement urging de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict. Macron noted that Trump had floated a ceasefire proposal, but the U.S. president’s absence hindered consensus. Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters argue his focus on the Middle East crisis, where Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” has killed 224 in Iran and Iran’s “Operation True Promise 3” has caused 24 deaths in Israel, justifies his exit.
Despite the speculation, Trump and Modi share a history of cordial relations, with Trump previously inviting Modi to a G7 Summit in 2020 and describing their ties as “exceptional.” The Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasized Modi’s agenda in Canada, stating he would engage with G7 leaders on critical global issues, with no mention of a planned bilateral meeting with Trump.
As the G7 continues without Trump, the remaining leaders are working to salvage discussions, with Modi expected to hold bilateral talks with Carney, Zelenskyy, and German Chancellor Merz. The unverified claims circulating on X highlight the polarized sentiment around Trump’s exit, but the official narrative remains centered on the Middle East crisis as the driving factor. Whether Trump’s departure was influenced by Modi’s presence or purely by geopolitical priorities remains a matter of speculation, with no concrete evidence supporting the former.
