Canada and India have agreed to designate new high commissioners and restore regular diplomatic services to citizens in both countries, following a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Alberta.
In a transcript of the meeting on Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the move. Canada expelled six Indian diplomats and consular officials last fall, following news that law enforcement had linked agents of the Indian government to a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens.
In response, India kicked out the acting Canadian high commissioner in New Delhi and five other Canadian diplomats last fall. Since then, neither position has been filled. India has been singled out by Canadian intelligence officials as a prolific perpetrator of foreign interference in Canada, including transnational repression — an issue the G7 leaders singled out in one of several joint statements issued as their summit wrapped up.As their bilateral meeting began, Carney said it was “a great honour” to host Modi at the G7.“ 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,” Carney said, noting that includes the energy transition, the future of AI and the fight against transnational repression and terrorism.
Speaking through a translator, Modi said he thinks it joining the G7 summit was a great opportunity to serve the global good.
Modi stated, noting that both nations uphold democratic ideals, “I believe that India-Canada relations are extremely important, and and India and Canada should work together.” Modi called the meeting with Carney “excellent” in a post on social media.“ He wrote on X that India and Canada share 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.”
Carney invited Modi to the summit along with a number of other world leaders who are not part of the G7. Modi’s visit prompted loud protest from Sikh separatist groups.In 2023 and 2024, former prime minister Justin Trudeau and the RCMP said there was evidence linking agents of the Indian government to the murder of Canadian Sikh separatist activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C., in June 2023.
In October of that year, Commissioner Mike Duheme of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated that the force had evidence linking Indian government officials to other crimes committed in Canada, such as extortion, coercion, and homicide.
Canada, India agree to restore diplomatic services after leaders meet at G7
