In a key diplomatic development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, marking their first in-person meeting following Canada’s recent general elections. The leaders agreed to initiate steps toward restoring stability in bilateral ties, starting with the early return of High Commissioners to each other’s capitals, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday.
The meeting provided an opportunity for candid and forward-looking discussions on the state of India-Canada relations. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a relationship anchored in shared democratic values, rule of law, and mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the MEA, the two sides agreed to pursue a “calibrated and constructive” path forward, underscoring the importance of rebuilding trust through senior ministerial and working-level engagements across multiple sectors.
Key areas of future cooperation identified during the talks included clean energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, liquefied natural gas (LNG), food security, critical minerals, higher education, skilled mobility, and resilient supply chains. The leaders also discussed the importance of resuming negotiations on the stalled Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), which is seen as a precursor to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Modi and Carney further emphasized the importance of collaboration on global priorities such as climate action, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. Both also reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The MEA statement noted the “deep people-to-people ties” between the two countries and the shared desire to leverage this “living bridge” for mutual benefit. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch and explore the next opportunity to meet.
This meeting marks a positive turn after diplomatic ties had soured in 2023, when then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia—a claim India categorically rejected as “absurd” and “politically motivated.”
In the wake of the controversy, India had recalled six diplomats from Canada after Canadian authorities declared them “persons of interest.” With both sides now signaling a willingness to reset ties, the return of High Commissioners is seen as a significant confidence-building measure.