After a period of strained relations, India and Canada are taking concrete steps to reset and revive their bilateral ties. Recent high-level discussions and diplomatic appointments signal a mutual desire to move forward and rebuild a constructive partnership.

Key Developments:

• Pre-Foreign Office Consultations: On September 19, 2025, officials from India's Ministry of External Affairs and Global Affairs Canada met in New Delhi for pre-Foreign Office Consultations (FOC). The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (East) Shri P. Kumaran, while the Canadian side was led by Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. David Morrison.
• Meeting of National Security Advisors: Prior to the FOC, the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of India and Canada held talks in Delhi on September 18, 2025. India's NSA Ajit Doval met with his Canadian counterpart, Nathalie Drouin, to discuss shared security concerns and enhance bilateral cooperation.
• Return of High Commissioners: Progress has been made since June 2025, including the return of High Commissioners to each other's capitals. India has named Dinesh K Patnaik as the next High Commissioner to Ottawa, while Canada has appointed Christopher Cooter as its new envoy to New Delhi. Cooter has already arrived in New Delhi.
• Prime Ministerial Engagement: These efforts follow a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June 2025. This meeting provided a foundation for resetting the relationship.

Areas of Focus:

• Reactivating Dialogue Mechanisms: Both sides have agreed to initiate steps to reactivate bilateral dialogue mechanisms across various domains. These include trade, defense, energy, civil nuclear cooperation, security and law enforcement, critical minerals, space, science and technology, and agriculture.
• Addressing Consular Issues: To support strong people-to-people linkages and expanding economic opportunities, both sides have decided to constructively address capacity-related issues at their respective Missions and Consulates.
• Security Cooperation: Discussions between the NSAs focused on information sharing, counter-terrorism cooperation, and India's requests for the extradition of Khalistani activists wanted for cases in India. India has raised concerns regarding the activities of pro-Khalistani groups operating from Canada and the safety of Indian diplomatic personnel and premises.
• Trade and Economic Ties: With a comprehensive strategy for the Indo-Pacific, Canada recognizes India as a key partner in strengthening economic links. In 2024, India was Canada's seventh-largest goods and services trading partner, with two-way trade reaching $30.9 billion. Both countries are also reportedly planning to soon reappoint high commissioners and revive talks on a Canada-India free trade pact, which were halted in 2023.

Shared Values and Principles:

Both sides have reaffirmed the importance of India-Canada ties, which are anchored in shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law, and commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Challenges and the Way Forward:

Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. The relationship between India and Canada experienced a low point in September 2023 after the Trudeau government accused Indian diplomats of backing violence against Khalistan separatists. Several issues, especially India's concerns about separatist extremism, remain unresolved.

Both countries have adopted a measured and incremental approach to resetting their relationship. While neither side is in a hurry to fix everything, important first steps have been taken.