During the G7 Summit, PM Narendra Modi talks with his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney

Kananaskis: During the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney. Notably, after Canada’s recent general elections, this was the two leaders’ first face-to-face encounter. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Wednesday that the leaders of the meeting reaffirmed the significance of India-Canada ties and decided to take positive measures to bring stability back to the relationship, including sending High Commissioners back to each other’s capitals as soon as possible.

According to the MEA, PM Modi and PM Carney’s meeting gave them a chance to have candid, forward-looking conversations on the current status of India-Canada ties and their future.

The leaders reiterated the significance of India-Canada relations, which are founded on respect for the rule of law, common democratic values, and a commitment to preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty. They emphasized the need to pursue a positive and well-rounded partnership based on solid interpersonal relationships, expanding economic complementarities, and respect for one another’s worries and sensitivities.

In a major move, the MEA said in its statement that Canada and India “agreed to take calibrated and constructive steps to restore stability in the relationship, beginning with the early return of High Commissioners to each other’s capitals.”

Notably, the leaders emphasized how crucial it is to resume working-level and senior ministerial contacts in a variety of fields in order to regain confidence and advance the relationship.

In sectors including renewable energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, LNG, food security, essential minerals, higher education, mobility, and supply chain resilience, PM Modi and PM Carney spoke about potential future collaborations, according to the MEA.

They restated their mutual commitment to advancing an open and free Indo-Pacific. In order to prepare the path for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the leaders also spoke about how crucial it is to resume the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) discussions that have stalled. They decided to assign each of their officials to do more work in this area.

The leaders recognized the significant advancements at the G7 Summit and the mutual desire to collaborate positively on global issues, including sustainable development, inclusive growth, and climate action.

According to MEA’s statement, the leaders emphasized the strong interpersonal ties between the two nations and decided to use this live bridge to their mutual advantage. They looked forward to seeing each other again as soon as possible and decided to keep in contact.

When former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his government had “credible allegations” of India’s participation in the 2023 death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, tensions further increased. The good developments come following the claims.

India has vehemently refuted the accusations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated,” and has said that Canada is providing a platform for anti-Indian and extremist groups.

Following their designation as “persons of interest” by Canadian investigators into Nijjar’s murder, India recalled six Canadian diplomats. On June 18, 2023, Nijjar was shot and killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.