Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney adopted a cautious tone as he spoke about his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The discussion took place on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis.
Carney confirmed that the two leaders discussed:
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The importance of direct cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
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The need to address transnational repression.
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Ongoing judicial proceedings related to the Nijjar case.
However, he declined to elaborate further, citing the active judicial process and the sensitivity of the matter.
The meeting came as India and Canada agreed to restore full diplomatic ties, including the reinstatement of High Commissioners in each other's capitals — a significant step after nearly two years of strained relations.
Nijjar, who was wanted in India for terrorism, was shot dead in British Columbia in June 2023. Months later, then-Canadian PM Justin Trudeau claimed that Canada had “credible evidence” linking Indian government agents to the killing. India strongly rejected these allegations, citing a lack of evidence and formal diplomatic communication, even after some Indian nationals were arrested in the case.
During their first-ever bilateral meeting, Modi congratulated Carney on his electoral win and expressed optimism about deepening ties across various sectors. Carney, in turn, praised Modi for his continued presence at G7 Summits since 2018, calling it a reflection of India’s growing global stature.
He said:
“I think today's meeting was important, but I would describe it as foundational, a necessary first step… an agreement to begin rebuilding a relationship based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and trust.”
Carney also confirmed that India is expected to participate in the next G7 Summit in France. The meeting marked a positive diplomatic reset after a prolonged standoff, with both leaders showing interest in repairing the bilateral relationship.
