Big Breakthrough In India-Canada Ties, Months After Diplomatic Fallout
India and Canada agreed on Tuesday to reinstate ambassadors to each other's capitals, months after the bitter diplomatic fallout between New Delhi and Ottawa.
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Prime Minister Modi affirmed that both nations remain "committed to democratic values."
Ottawa:
On Tuesday, India and Canada reached an agreement to restore ambassadors to their respective capitals, following months of diplomatic tension between New Delhi and Ottawa. This significant development occurred after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit held in Kananaskis, Canada.
The diplomatic relationship between the two nations had significantly deteriorated last year when Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau, publicly implicated India in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian territory, allegations that India strongly rejected. This accusation led to the mutual expulsion of diplomatic representatives.
Carney, Canada's new Prime Minister who assumed office in March, extended an invitation to PM Modi to attend the G7 summit of major economies in the Canadian Rockies as a guest. During their bilateral discussion on the sidelines of the summit, both leaders agreed to appoint new high commissioners, the term used for ambassadors between Commonwealth countries.
The decision was made "to restore normal services for citizens and businesses in both countries," according to a statement from Prime Minister Carney's office.
Carney expressed that it was a "great honour" to host Modi at the G7 summit and expressed hope for collaboration with India on "various challenges we aim to address together, from energy security... artificial intelligence advancements, to our joint fight against transnational repression and terrorism."
Prime Minister Modi also emphasized that both Canada and India were "dedicated to democratic values."
"The India-Canada relationship holds significant importance in numerous aspects," PM Modi stated while congratulating Carney on his Liberal Party's electoral victory.
"I am optimistic that together...India and Canada will collaborate to achieve progress across many sectors."
India-Canada RelationsThe dispute over Nijjar's killing had severely hampered diplomatic services between the two nations, which conducted $9 billion in trade during 2023 and share strong cultural connections due to the substantial Indian diaspora in Canada, which hosts the largest Sikh population outside of India.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who advocated for an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan, was fatally shot in a Sikh temple parking lot in British Columbia in 2023. Former Prime Minister Trudeau alleged direct Indian involvement in the incident.
India denied any role in the killing and urged Canada to take stronger measures against violent Khalistan advocates.