AI Generated Summary
- In a crucial diplomatic overture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada on June 17, signaling a potential thaw in relations that have remained strained for nearly a year.
- Whether the handshake at the G7 marks a genuine reset or simply a pause in tensions depends largely on how Canada responds to India’s calls for accountability and action.
- The meeting comes at a time when both nations are navigating the aftermath of a full-blown diplomatic rift sparked by the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last June.
In a crucial diplomatic overture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada on June 17, signaling a potential thaw in relations that have remained strained for nearly a year.
The meeting comes at a time when both nations are navigating the aftermath of a full-blown diplomatic rift sparked by the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last June. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen of Indian origin, was designated a terrorist by Indian authorities under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2020. His assassination led to a cascade of diplomatic tensions, including tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats and the suspension of bilateral talks.
At the heart of India’s concerns lies Canada’s permissive stance toward individuals promoting Khalistani extremism and sheltering fugitives. India has filed close to two dozen formal extradition requests along with another 30 related to arrests and investigations — none of which have been acted upon by Ottawa, Indian officials claim.
While Canada has often defended these individuals’ actions as expressions of free speech, India maintains that such leniency enables a dangerous blend of separatist ideology and transnational crime. This tension was exemplified last year when New Delhi lodged a formal protest over a controversial Canadian parade tableau that appeared to glorify the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
In a move that could further inflame tensions, recent videos have surfaced online showing young Sikh men in Canada desecrating posters of Prime Minister Modi just a day ahead of his scheduled meeting with Carney.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of a tentative rapprochement. Both countries are reportedly working on a new intelligence-sharing framework between their law enforcement agencies. The focus would be on tackling cross-border terrorism, organized crime syndicates, and extremist activities.
India has also urged Canada to scrutinize the backgrounds of individuals entering the country illegally, particularly those who later apply for asylum—an issue New Delhi believes is being exploited by criminal elements.
Should these security and legal mechanisms gain traction, broader cooperation in other fields could be revitalized. Trade and economic ties remain strong despite political tensions, with Canadian Pension Funds having invested over $75 billion in India. Talks for an expanded economic agreement are said to be progressing.
Strategically, India is looking to rekindle uranium imports from Canada, a key component of its nuclear energy program. Collaboration in space research is also on the table, with memoranda of understanding already signed between ISRO and the Canadian Space Agency for joint work in satellite tracking and astronomy.
The Indian diaspora in Canada—nearly 3 million strong—remains a vital bridge between the two countries. However, following last year’s diplomatic fallout, Canada has reportedly restricted visa issuances for Indian nationals, particularly those seeking to visit family members. That policy could be revisited depending on the outcome of the leaders’ meeting.
As Modi and Carney prepare to sit down, the world will be watching closely. Whether the handshake at the G7 marks a genuine reset or simply a pause in tensions depends largely on how Canada responds to India’s calls for accountability and action.
