At the G7 Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a brief but symbolic meeting that could mark a turning point in recent tense bilateral relations between India and Canada.
The conversation, which occurred on the sidelines of the summit held in the Puglia region of Italy, was not a formal bilateral but signified the first direct engagement between the two leaders following months of diplomatic chill that followed a row over alleged interference and controversial allegations made by Canada.
While the Indian government has maintained a firm position on issues of sovereignty and non-interference, this informal dialogue suggests that both nations are ready to recalibrate their approach, driven perhaps by mutual economic interests and evolving geopolitical dynamics.
FCRF x CERT-In Roll Out National Cyber Crisis Management Course to Prepare India’s Digital Defenders
Context of Diplomatic Frost
Relations between India and Canada soured significantly in 2023 after Canadian authorities accused Indian operatives of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and pro-Khalistan activist. The Indian government firmly denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
Subsequently, both countries expelled diplomats and restricted engagements, leading to a visible frost in diplomatic channels, trade talks, and people-to-people ties. Canada’s inclusion in India’s list of nations requiring heightened visa scrutiny further illustrated the strained state of affairs.
The G7 platform, however, offered a rare and neutral space for the two leaders to exchange words and potentially recalibrate their bilateral outlook.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
Signals of a Diplomatic Reset
Though no official readout has been released from either side detailing the content of the interaction, diplomatic observers note the significance of even a short conversation in such a charged context. According to summit sources, the conversation was “brief but cordial,” with both leaders making an effort to maintain a positive tone.
India’s external affairs strategy has emphasized building strong ties with Western allies amid changing global alignments. Canada, being a part of the G7, the Commonwealth, and a critical trade partner with strong Indian diaspora influence, remains an important player in India’s foreign policy matrix.
The Indian diaspora in Canada, particularly the business and academic communities, has also been pressing for the resumption of constructive dialogue, especially as trade agreements such as the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) remain stalled due to political tensions.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.