Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit as a “foundational” step toward rebuilding bilateral relations, emphasising both countries’ commitment to restoring mutual trust and cooperation.
Addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the G7 Summit, Carney termed the interaction with PM Modi as an “open and frank exchange”, touching upon critical issues like law enforcement cooperation and transnational repression. He said the meeting laid the groundwork to rebuild ties “based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and trust.”
Highlighting one of the concrete outcomes, Carney confirmed that both India and Canada will move to reappoint High Commissioners, signalling a thaw after a period of intense diplomatic strain. “There are deep people-to-people and business ties between Canada and India, and they are not being well-served in the current climate. Restoring full consular services, including High Commissioners, is a necessary step,” he said.
The conversation also included sensitive subjects such as the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case, which had soured relations in 2023. Carney said he and PM Modi discussed the importance of law enforcement-level cooperation while maintaining judicial integrity. “There is an ongoing legal process, and I must be cautious in commenting further,” he added.
Tensions between the two nations had escalated last year after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in Nijjar’s killing in Surrey, British Columbia. India strongly refuted the claims, calling them “absurd” and criticising Canada for tolerating anti-India elements. The fallout led to a recall of diplomats and a freeze in formal diplomatic engagements.
Following the Modi-Carney meeting, India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that both leaders reaffirmed the value of India-Canada ties and agreed to take constructive steps, including the early return of High Commissioners, to restore normalcy in diplomatic channels.
In addition to bilateral issues, PM Carney addressed broader global challenges. On the Middle East, he called Iran the “principal source of regional instability,” reiterating the G7’s stance that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he announced over $2 billion in new military support for Ukraine and $2.3 billion in reconstruction loans, along with expanded sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and related entities.
The G7 Summit, which gathers leaders from the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union, saw PM Modi participate for the sixth consecutive time. His involvement highlighted India’s growing strategic role on global issues such as energy security, AI, and international diplomacy.
