Modi Meets Mark Carney At G7 Summit, Agrees To Reappoint High Commissioners

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Canadian PM Mark Carney on the sidelines of the Group of Seven Summit in Kananaskis, Canada and agreed to resume “regular services’ for citizens and businesses. Both leaders agreed to appoint new high commissioners to their capital in a bid to normalise relations that have been troubled for over 20 months. 

Modi described the meeting as “excellent” and stated that "India-Canada relations are extremely important.”

PM Modi released a statement on X stating, "Had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Complimented him and the Canadian Government for successfully hosting the G7 Summit. India and Canada are connected by a strong belief in democracy, freedom and rule of law. PM Carney and I look forward to working closely to add momentum to the India-Canada friendship. Areas like trade, energy, space, clean energy, critical minerals, fertilisers and more offer immense potential in this regard.” 

Carney described meeting Modi as “a great honour.” "India has been coming to the G7 since 2018. It's a testament to the importance of your country, to your leadership,” he said. 

The Canadian PM released a statement stating that the meeting “reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties, based on mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The resumption of normalcy comes after strained ties between India and Canada in recent years. Bilateral relations had suffered a setback after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in 2023, alleged a potential Indian link to the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Following the accusations, India withdrew then High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and five other officials after Ottawa asked New Delhi to waive their diplomatic immunity for questioning on violent criminal activity.