Canada PM dodges Modi-Nijjar murder query.
New Delhi and Ottawa have reached an important diplomatic breakthrough, agreeing to restore high commissioners to each other’s capitals. This marks a significant step toward normalizing relations between India and Canada following months of tensions. The decision signals a mutual willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and rebuild trust after a diplomatic standoff that strained bilateral ties. Restoring high commissioners is expected to pave the way for broader cooperation in areas such as trade, education, and immigration. Officials from both sides expressed optimism that this move would help stabilize the relationship and create a foundation for future engagement on key issues.
Modi-Carney Meeting Marks Turning Point in India-Canada Ties, High Commissioners to Be Restored
In a significant development aimed at mending diplomatic fences, India and Canada have agreed to restore high commissioners to each other’s capitals. The breakthrough follows a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. The interaction marks a key turning point in the tense bilateral relationship, which had been deeply strained following the 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
A Careful Tone on a Sensitive Issue
Prime Minister Carney, who took office following Justin Trudeau’s resignation earlier this year, struck a noticeably measured tone when questioned about the Nijjar case during a press interaction. Asked whether he raised the issue of Nijjar’s murder with PM Modi, Carney responded with caution, emphasizing the importance of respecting judicial proceedings and avoiding speculative remarks.
Carney’s restrained language was in sharp contrast to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had publicly accused India of being involved in Nijjar’s killing, a charge New Delhi has consistently and categorically denied. India had, in turn, demanded credible and actionable evidence from Canada, which it claimed was never provided. The diplomatic crisis escalated to the point where New Delhi expelled Canadian diplomats and demanded parity in diplomatic presence, prompting reciprocal actions from Ottawa.
Diplomatic Relations Hit Rock Bottom
The downward spiral in India-Canada ties reached its nadir in late 2023, when India recalled senior diplomats from Ottawa and suspended visa services for Canadian nationals. Canada responded with its own set of diplomatic restrictions. The freeze in relations affected not just political exchanges but also disrupted cultural, educational, and people-to-people connections—areas where the two nations have long enjoyed warm ties.
Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and a vocal Khalistani separatist leader, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. India dismissed the charges as “absurd and politically motivated,” and urged Canada to rein in extremist elements that threatened India’s sovereignty from Canadian soil.
Turning the Page: A Constructive Meeting
However, the recent Modi-Carney meeting suggests a thawing of the months-long freeze. Described by both sides as “positive and constructive,” the meeting focused on rebuilding trust and reestablishing communication channels. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a video statement, said that the two leaders discussed the broader importance of the India-Canada relationship, underpinned by shared democratic values, strong people-to-people connections, and mutual interests in trade, education, and global governance.
“The meeting discussed the importance of the India-Canada relationship, which is based on shared values, democracy and the rule of law, people-to-people contact and many other commonalities,” Misri noted.
The most tangible outcome of the meeting was the mutual decision to reinstate high commissioners to each other’s capitals—a vital step in restoring formal diplomatic engagement. The return of high commissioners is seen as a signal of confidence and a desire to reset the relationship on more stable and cooperative footing.
Implications for Bilateral Relations
Analysts suggest that Carney’s pragmatic approach may help pave the way for broader cooperation between the two nations, which are both members of the Commonwealth and share long-standing educational, economic, and cultural linkages. Over 1.4 million people of Indian origin reside in Canada, making them one of the largest and most influential diaspora communities.
Experts also note that restoring diplomatic channels will be essential for addressing complex transnational issues, including terrorism, immigration, and global security. Both countries are likely to benefit from improved coordination in trade and technology as well, particularly given their overlapping interests in clean energy, artificial intelligence, and academic collaboration.
Next Steps
While the decision to reinstate high commissioners is a strong first step, officials from both sides acknowledge that more work lies ahead.
The two countries are expected to resume bilateral mechanisms such as the Strategic Dialogue and Trade Negotiation Working Groups in the coming months. Progress in these areas could help return the relationship to a more constructive and forward-looking trajectory.
Conclusion
The Modi-Carney meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit represents a major step forward in repairing India-Canada ties. With both nations agreeing to restore full diplomatic presence and committing to a respectful, evidence-based dialogue on sensitive issues, a new chapter in bilateral relations appears to be beginning.