 "Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Narendra Modi | (Image: Reuters)")
India and Canada have decided to fully restore their diplomatic relations and appoint new high commissioners following a period of heightened tensions.
The announcement was made following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney during the G7 Summit in Kananaskis .
The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said both leaders agreed to normalise diplomatic ties and make new appointments for positions that remained to be filled following tit-for-tit expulsions last year.
India-Canada row
In 2024, former Canada PM Justin Trudeau made damning allegations against Indian diplomats, accusing them of backing criminal harassment and violence against Canadians.
Following this, Ottawa refused to waive their diplomatic immunity for what then-foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly called “a number of violent incidents”. This prompted New Delhi to immediately withdraw the six envoys and kick out the same number of Canadian envoys from India.
“It is obvious that the government of India made a fundamental error in thinking that they could engage in supporting criminal activity against Canadians here on Canadian soil, whether it be murders or extortion or other violent acts,” Trudeau had announced.
High engagements between the two nations had stalled since then.
Thaw in ties
PM Modi’s visit to Canada is now setting the stage for a reset in bilateral ties.
After meeting with the Canada PM, PM Modi said the discussions were “excellent” and stressed that India and Canada are connected by a strong belief in democracy, freedom and rule of law."
“PM Carney and I look forward to working closely to add momentum to the India-Canada friendship," he added.
PM Carney, meanwhile, said it was his “great honour” to welcome Modi at the G7 Summit.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“It’s a testament to the importance of your country, to your leadership, and to the importance of the issues that we look to tackle together- from energy security and AI to the fight against transnational repression and terrorism," Mark Carney said.