India and Canada have agreed to reinstate full diplomatic services, nearly two years after relations soured over allegations by Ottawa that New Delhi was linked to the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader.
The breakthrough was announced following a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, on Tuesday.
According to a statement from Carney’s office, both countries will appoint new high commissioners, aiming to resume normal consular and diplomatic services for their citizens and businesses.
High commissioners, the equivalent of ambassadors between Commonwealth countries, play a crucial role in maintaining bilateral ties and advancing national interests abroad.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a relationship grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty. They also discussed enhanced cooperation in key areas such as technology, digital innovation, food security, and critical minerals.
Expelled Indian high commissioner denies involvement in murder of Sikh leader in Canada
India's foreign ministry stressed the need to resume high-level ministerial engagements to rebuild confidence and revitalize the bilateral relationship.
Tensions escalated in September 2023 after then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed there were credible allegations of Indian involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar near Vancouver. India strongly denied the accusation and accused Trudeau’s government of sheltering extremists.
Nijjar, labeled a terrorist by India in 2020 under anti-terror laws, was a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement — a banned separatist campaign seeking an independent Sikh homeland. While India regarded him as a threat, several Sikh advocacy groups viewed him as a human rights defender.
India protests Ottawa's allegation its home minister ordered targeting of Sikh activists in Canada
Diplomatic relations deteriorated rapidly afterward. India expelled several Canadian diplomats and pulled out its high commissioner and key staff from Canada. In return, Ottawa expelled Indian diplomats and accused New Delhi of launching a campaign targeting Canadian citizens — a claim India rejected.
India has long viewed Sikh separatist activities in Canada with concern, especially given that Sikhs make up around 2% of Canada’s population.
Modi Briefs Trump on Kashmir Conflict
Separately, Prime Minister Modi held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump after Trump made an early exit from the G7 summit. Modi shared details of India’s recent military actions against Pakistan following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindus, according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Trump had previously claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between the two South Asian rivals and suggested that trade incentives had helped cool tensions. However, Modi reportedly told Trump that India has never accepted third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue — and would not in the future.
Misri clarified that ongoing efforts to de-escalate the conflict were conducted directly between Indian and Pakistani military officials through existing bilateral channels, with no involvement from Washington. He also stated that no trade deals or discussions of mediation were part of the talks between Indian and U.S. officials during the crisis.
Source: With inputs from agency