Cautious Optimism Marks India-Canada Reset as Modi, Carney Meet on G7 Sidelines
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney struck a measured tone on Wednesday as he discussed his first high-level engagement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi since taking office, focusing on the controversial killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the broader future of bilateral relations.
Meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, the two leaders appeared to signal a thaw in ties following a turbulent two-year diplomatic standoff triggered by allegations surrounding Nijjar’s assassination in Canada in June 2023.
While both leaders shared a “positive vision” for strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation, Carney was circumspect when asked about discussions around the Nijjar case.
“We discussed the importance of law enforcement dialogue—not just dialogue, but direct cooperation—as well as the need to address transnational repression,” Carney told reporters. “There is a judicial process underway, and I need to be careful about further commentary.”
India-Canada Diplomatic Reset Underway
In a significant move, both sides agreed to reappoint High Commissioners in each other’s capitals, marking the first formal step in mending ties that had frayed under the previous administration of Justin Trudeau.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Carney on his recent electoral victory and expressed optimism about a renewed phase of cooperation between New Delhi and Ottawa, highlighting the potential for deeper collaboration across various sectors, including trade, technology, and education.
Carney, in turn, described the meeting with Modi as “foundational” and a “necessary first step” in rebuilding trust and engagement.
Nijjar Killing Casts Long Shadow
The backdrop to the leaders’ meeting remains complex. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and a wanted figure in India for alleged links to terrorism, was shot dead in British Columbia in June 2023. Months later, then-Prime Minister
Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing, claims vehemently denied by India, which maintained that Canada had failed to provide credible evidence or engage diplomatically on the matter.
Recent developments, including the arrest of Indian nationals in connection with the killing, have revived the issue in Canadian media and domestic politics.
However, Carney appeared to prioritize moving forward without compromising the integrity of the ongoing legal process.
A Broader Recognition of India’s Role
Beyond bilateral issues, Carney acknowledged India’s growing stature on the global stage. Praising Modi’s consistent participation in the G7 summits since 2018, he said:
“Prime Minister Modi’s regular attendance reflects not only the size and dynamism of the Indian economy but also its increasing leadership in global forums—from the G20 to the broader multilateral stage.”
He added that India’s presence at the G7 underlines its influence in shaping international discourse and confirmed that Modi would be welcomed at next year’s G7 Summit in France.
A Cautious New Beginning
Though the wounds of past tensions remain fresh, Wednesday’s meeting between Modi and Carney marks a measured diplomatic breakthrough, signaling that both nations are willing to chart a path forward—carefully, but deliberately.
With the reinstatement of diplomatic representation and a renewed emphasis on law enforcement cooperation, India and Canada may be entering a new chapter—one defined less by mutual suspicion and more by strategic recalibration and constructive engagement.
