After a period of strained relations, India and Canada are engaging in a series of meetings and visits, signaling a step-by-step approach to repair and strengthen their bilateral ties.
High-Level Exchanges and Diplomatic Appointments
In July 2025, Canada's Assistant Deputy Minister (Indo-Pacific) Weldon Epp visited India, paving the way for several closed-door meetings between Indian and Canadian representatives in Ottawa and Toronto. Discussions focused on potential collaboration in sectors like Agri-tech, AI, LNG, and critical minerals. Further solidifying the renewed diplomatic engagement, Canada appointed Jeff David as Consul-General in Mumbai on July 30, 2025. On August 28, 2025, both countries announced the appointment of Dinesh Patnaik and Chris Cooter as their respective High Commissioners. Dinesh Patnaik officially started his job on Wednesday at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. These appointments are particularly significant as they reverse the withdrawal of High Commissioners that occurred during the 2024 diplomatic tensions.
Focus on Rebuilding Trust and Cooperation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Mark Carney met at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in June 2025, which provided a strategic opportunity to formally reset the relationship. Carney described his meeting with Modi as "foundational," while Modi emphasized the importance of the relationship and expressed hope for progress in various areas. They announced intentions to collaborate on energy security, food security, critical minerals, and Artificial Intelligence. Both sides acknowledged the clear momentum for rebuilding trust and expanding cooperation at the highest levels of political leadership.
Security and Law Enforcement Cooperation
In early January 2025, a team from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) met with Indian law enforcement officials to discuss cooperation in tackling organized criminal gangs, the Khalistan issue, and the Nijjar investigation. Communication through security channels resumed in February 2025, leading to India raiding the residence of a suspect sought by Canada in connection with the 2024 Pearson airport gold heist. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin held talks in New Delhi on September 18, 2025, focusing on repairing bilateral relations and combating terrorism and transnational crimes. They agreed to strengthen security cooperation and reinforce existing mechanisms of engagement.
Addressing Past Tensions
The recent steps toward improved relations follow a period of significant strain, triggered by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of India's involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. The allegations led to a diplomatic standoff, with both countries expelling diplomats and reducing staff at their respective missions. India had recalled its High Commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa attempted to link them to the Nijjar case. However, Mark Carney's victory in the April parliamentary election in Canada has facilitated a diplomatic reset.
Future Outlook
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is scheduled to visit India in October 2025, which would be the first bilateral visit by a foreign minister since 2023. Anand has stated Canada must ensure a bilateral relationship with significant economic powers in the Indo-Pacific and that the work with these partners is to ensure that Canada's interests are at the forefront. Both countries are working to address the shortage of diplomatic staff at their missions, which resulted from the expulsion of diplomats. India's foreign ministry has hinted it could restore Canada's full complement of diplomatic staff in the country. Both sides have also agreed to resume bilateral dialogue across key sectors like trade, defense, energy, civil nuclear, security, law enforcement and critical minerals.
