Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly-elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met on the sidelines of the G7 summit, signaling a thaw in relations after nearly two years of strained ties over the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada.
During their meeting, Modi expressed hope for renewed cooperation, congratulating Carney on his recent election victory and stating, “Together with him, India and Canada will work together to make progress in many areas.”
Carney, who took office in March, said it was “a great honor” to host Modi at the G7 summit in the Canadian Rockies, emphasizing India’s critical role in global supply chains. Although India is not a G7 member, Carney extended the invitation as a gesture of its growing global influence, according to DW.COM
According to a statement from Carney’s office, 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.”
In a significant move, Modi and Carney agreed to appoint new high commissioners — the Commonwealth equivalent of ambassadors — to restore normal diplomatic operations. These key positions had remained vacant since both countries expelled each other’s diplomats following the assassination controversy.
The Canadian prime minister’s office noted that this decision aims to resume regular services for citizens and businesses in both countries.
The diplomatic rupture stemmed from the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a naturalized Canadian citizen. He was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia.
Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being directly involved in Nijjar’s assassination. Canada subsequently expelled six Indian diplomats, alleging a broader campaign by New Delhi to silence dissidents abroad.
India has denied involvement and in turn accused Canada of harboring the so-called Sikh separatists.
