India, June 12 -- Canadian political leaders in the international trade space have underscored the need for Ottawa to have a dialogue with India as it seeks to diversify and reduce its reliance on the United States.

Their comments came even as opposition has been voiced to the invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis in Alberta next week.

"The G7 is an important avenue for the Prime Minister to discuss some of Canada's economic priorities. As you know, it's about economic collaboration, it's about issues to do with community and public safety," Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu told reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday.

Without mentioning Modi, he said he had hea...