New Delhi: After more than a year-and-half of strain, the ties between India and Canada are seemingly back on track with the two countries agreeing to designate new high commissioners. The decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney held bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis on Tuesday.
“The leaders agreed to designate new high commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries,” a statement issued by the office of the Canadian Prime Minister read.
New areas of cooperation
During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also discussed strong and historic ties between the peoples, partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and significant commercial links between Canada and India – including partnerships in economic growth, supply chains, and energy transformation.
The bilateral meeting between PM Modi and his Canadian counterpart was not only a greeting of the two heads of state, but is also being seen as an initiative to bring back on track the relations that have deteriorated over the last two years. PM Modi’s visit to the country raised hopes for a reset in ties that plummeted during the rule of the Justin Trudeau government.
Ties between India and Canada hit all-time low in 2023 following Justin Trudeau’s allegations of India’s potential link to the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India vehemently refuted the charges as “politically motivated” and “absurd”. The tension between the two countries escalated after withdrawal of diplomats.
From sourness to dialogue
During the time of Justin Trudeau, India-Canada relations had deteriorated tremendously. In 2023, both countries expelled each other’s diplomats after Trudeau openly accused India for the murder of Nijjar. Attacks on Hindu temples, Khalistani rallies and hate-mongering demonstrations in Canada made the situation worse. But under the leadership of Prime Minister Carney, a change in Canada’s stance is now clearly visible.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Canadian PM discussed several areas of common interests, including:
• Economic partnership and supply chain
• Energy transformation and digital transition
• Investment in food security and critical minerals
• Strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
• Technology and cyber security
The two leaders also discussed opportunities to further deepen cooperation in areas such as technology, digital transition, food security and critical minerals.
