New Delhi: The Indian government views the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit as a significant opportunity to recalibrate ties between the two nations, which have been strained for nearly two years.
The bilateral relationship took a sharp downturn in September 2023 when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India rejected the accusation as “absurd,” accusing Canada of harbouring extremist elements and failing to safeguard Indian diplomats.
However, in a potential thaw, Modi and Carney held their first official conversation on June 6, during which Modi accepted Carney’s invitation to participate in the G7 outreach session from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Canada.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday that the upcoming talks between the two leaders could lay the groundwork for a renewed partnership built on “mutual respect, shared interests, and sensitivity to each other’s concerns.”
He did not elaborate on specific points of contention but noted that India’s positions on key issues had already been made public. India has long criticized Ottawa’s perceived leniency towards separatist and radical groups it considers threats to its sovereignty and diplomatic personnel.
Jaiswal confirmed that existing channels of communication between Indian and Canadian law enforcement remain active and could play a role in addressing shared security concerns. The Canadian government’s recent statement following the Modi-Carney call had mentioned ongoing law enforcement cooperation – a point not included in the Indian readout of the conversation.
The meeting marks the first major diplomatic engagement between the two countries since tensions escalated. Carney, who assumed office earlier this year, has expressed a desire to build stronger economic ties with India, especially in light of recent friction between Canada and the United States over trade issues.
Despite criticism from Sikh advocacy groups in Canada over Modi’s invitation to the G7, Carney has defended the move, citing India’s critical role in global supply chains and its relevance in discussions on security, digital infrastructure, energy, and critical minerals.
“India’s participation is essential when G7 nations deliberate on future-defining issues,” Carney stated, underscoring India’s position as the world’s fifth-largest economy.
Canada has outlined several priorities for this year’s G7 Summit, including bolstering security, countering foreign interference and transnational crime, accelerating the digital transition, and ensuring the stability of critical mineral supplies — all areas where India is considered a key player.
Observers see the Modi-Carney meeting as a rare diplomatic window to repair and redefine a historically robust but recently fractured relationship.
