On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, signaling a potential thaw in relations between India and Canada. PM Modi acknowledged the "extremely important" nature of India-Canada ties during their discussions. This meeting marks a significant step towards rebuilding a relationship that has faced considerable strain in recent years.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of the G7 Summit, where PM Modi is set to engage with leaders from various nations on critical global issues, with a particular emphasis on the priorities of the Global South. This marks PM Modi's first visit to Canada in a decade and his sixth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit, despite India not being a member of the group. India has been invited to the global summit for the last six years, and twelve times in total.
The invitation to PM Modi from PM Carney is viewed as an attempt to reset relations after they deteriorated following allegations made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the killing of a Khalistani terrorist. The relationship between India and Canada reached a low point in 2023 after Trudeau's government implicated "Indian agents" in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Khalistani activist. These allegations led to diplomatic expulsions and a freeze in trade negotiations.
In recent months, there have been efforts to re-establish contact between security officials from both countries, and discussions are underway regarding the appointment of new High Commissioners. These efforts indicate a mutual desire to move past the recent tensions and rebuild a stronger, more cooperative relationship.
During his stay in Canada, PM Modi is scheduled to participate in the Outreach Session of the Summit and hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders before departing for Zagreb. The focus of these discussions will include energy security, technology and innovation, particularly concerning AI and quantum-related issues.
The potential for improved relations between India and Canada is significant, particularly in the areas of trade and economic cooperation. Despite the diplomatic challenges, trade volumes between the two countries have shown resilience. India's exports to Canada include pharmaceuticals, textiles, chemicals, industrial machinery, and IT services. Canada has also been a key contributor to India's foreign investment landscape.
Mark Carney's election as Canadian Prime Minister has been viewed by many as a chance to improve bilateral ties between New Delhi and Ottawa. Carney has emphasized the importance of rebuilding the relationship with India, recognizing India's growing global influence and the necessity of its involvement in addressing major global challenges.
