In brief
After nearly two years of strained relations triggered by the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India and Canada have made strides towards mending their diplomatic ties. Both nations have announced the appointment of new high commissioners and the resumption of trade talks, marking an important step forward in rebuilding trust.
As part of the diplomatic thaw, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed restoring regular services for citizens at a recent Group of 7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Following past tensions that began in September 2023, when Canada accused India of orchestrating Nijjar’s death—an assertion India vehemently denied—the two nations have faced significant disruptions in trade and consular services. The rift escalated with the expulsion of each other's diplomats after Canada accused multiple Indian officials of being "persons of interest" in Nijjar's killing.With the change in Canadian leadership from Justin Trudeau to Mark Carney, who assumes a more centrist position, there is hope for a more stable diplomatic relationship. The completion of trade talks and the restoration of visa processing services signal a proactive approach to healing the diplomatic wounds and re-establishing mutual cooperation.
