After months of diplomatic strain in the bilateral ties between India and Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to restore full diplomatic services for the people in both countries. The breakthrough came when the two leaders met and discussed key topics on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Alberta on Tuesday, June 17.
The Canadian PM had earlier extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Modi to attend the G7 summit. The high-profile meeting signaled a hope for improving India-Canada relations, which had hit rock bottom during the tenure of former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Diplomatic tensions between the two countries began with Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing in 2023.
The restoration of diplomatic operations is expected to ease travel, trade, and educational exchanges between India and Canada. During his meeting with Carney, PM Modi said that India-Canada ties are extremely important. The two countries should work together on ways that benefit both, creating a win-win situation.
This marks their first meeting since Carney took office in May 2025. PM also congratulated Carney on his victory in the federal elections and said that the relations between the people of the two countries are very good. He also highlighted that many Canadian companies have invested in India and vice versa.
Meanwhile, PM Modi on Wednesday said, “Had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Complimented him and the Canadian Government for successfully hosting the G7 Summit. India and Canada are connected by a strong belief in democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. PM Carney and I look forward to working closely to add momentum to the India-Canada friendship. Areas like trade, energy, space, clean energy, critical minerals, fertilisers and more offer immense potential in this regard.”
Notably, this was the first visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada since 2015. The tensions between the two countries soured after Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in Canada on June 18, 2023. The former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had accused India of his murder, and the ties continue to worsen further when Canada linked the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats’, involvement in the alleged murder of Nijjar.
Following the move, both countries expelled each other’s diplomats in October 2024. The Khalistani propaganda directed against India which started on Canadian soil is now set to change under Carney’s regime. PM Modi’s visit to Canada indicates that in the coming years, the relationship between India and Canada will be strengthened. Besides, the visit has shocked the fundamentalists who had protested in Ottawa against the arrival of PM Modi to Canada.
