Kananaskis: The prime ministers of India and Canada held what they described as a constructive bilateral meeting on Tuesday, marking their first official engagement since a sharp downturn in relations following explosive allegations in 2023.
The encounter between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took place on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Alberta. Despite a nearly two-year chill in diplomatic ties, the meeting proceeded with cordiality and without visible friction. Carney, who is hosting the summit, extended a warm welcome to Modi, underscoring India’s significance to global supply chains and international cooperation.
Both leaders released positive statements after the talks. According to Carney’s office, they agreed to restore diplomatic channels by appointing new ambassadors to replace those recalled during the height of the dispute.
The diplomatic rift began when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist leader, on Canadian soil. India strongly denied the allegations and in turn accused Canada of sheltering extremist elements from the Sikh diaspora.
Carney avoided referencing the 2023 controversy during the meeting. His office emphasized the reaffirmation of shared democratic values and respect for sovereignty and the rule of law as the foundation of the Canada-India relationship.
Modi, in a post on social media platform X, called the meeting "excellent" and said the two countries are bound by "a strong belief in democracy, freedom, and rule of law." The visit marks Modi’s first trip to Canada in ten years.
India remains a vital partner for Canada, particularly in the fields of labor and education, serving as the largest source of international students and temporary workers. Canadian agricultural stakeholders also view India as a key market, especially for commodities like lentils.
Still, Modi’s visit was not without controversy. Members of Canada’s Sikh community, which is the largest outside India’s Punjab region, expressed anger over the lack of preconditions for Modi’s visit. In Calgary, a small group of Sikh protesters publicly destroyed Indian flags in a show of dissent.
The Nijjar case continues to cast a shadow over bilateral ties. In the wake of his killing, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, alleging their connection to a broader campaign targeting Indian dissidents abroad. Authorities have since charged four individuals in connection with the murder.
Despite the tensions, the latest dialogue signals a potential thaw and a mutual willingness to move forward in navigating shared interests and global challenges.
