Breakthrough Dialogue After Diplomatic Freeze
On June 17, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held a landmark meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. This marks the first high-level dialogue in over 20 months, following strained bilateral ties.
Modi Calls Ties with Canada “Very Important”
PM Modi described the session as “excellent” and emphasized that the relationship with Canada remains strategically important. “PM Carney and I look forward to working closely to add momentum to the India-Canada friendship,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Carney echoed the sentiment, calling it a “great honour” to host Modi. He acknowledged India’s growing global role, noting its continued G7 participation since 2018 as “a testament to its importance.”
What Prompted the Diplomatic Chill?
Relations soured in September 2023 after former PM Justin Trudeau alleged a link between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. This led to mutual expulsions of diplomats and a diplomatic freeze.
India withdrew High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and five officials, while Canada expelled six Indian diplomats. No High Commissioner had been reappointed since October 2024.
New Areas of Cooperation
In Tuesday’s dialogue, Carney and Modi agreed to collaborate on several fronts, including:
- Counter-terrorism and transnational repression
- Energy security and clean technologies
- The future of artificial intelligence
According to a readout from the Canadian PMO, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to “mutual respect, the rule of law, and sovereignty.”
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter?
With a fresh diplomatic tone, both governments aim to restore trust and tackle mutual concerns. Observers see this development as crucial, especially given the Indian diaspora’s influence in Canada and shared economic interests.
Conclusion
The breakthrough meeting in Kananaskis could mark the dawn of renewed cooperation between two democracies with deep people-to-people ties. With the reappointment of High Commissioners and shared goals, the world watches this critical reset with cautious optimism.
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