In brief
In a bid to mend ongoing tensions, India and Canada are working to restore diplomatic relations, appointing new ambassadors and resuming trade talks during a recent G7 summit.
India and Canada have made significant strides towards diplomatic reconciliation nearly two years after tensions escalated following the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh activist. Both nations expressed intentions to improve ties through new high commissioners and a resumption of trade discussions at the recent Group of Seven summit, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met.The two countries released separate statements indicating their commitment to restoring visa processes and services for citizens and businesses alike. Indian officials noted that they plan to enhance ministerial and working-level interactions to rebuild trust.The rift emerged in September 2023 when Canada accused India of orchestrating Nijjar's fatal shooting, a claim that India vehemently denied, branding Nijjar as a terrorist and accusing Canada of providing a refuge for extremists. Reciprocal diplomatic expulsions followed, leading to a significant decline in trade and visa services.However, the political landscape shifted with the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the election of economist Mark Carney, paving the way for a potential reset in relations between the two nations, which host a substantial Sikh population.
