India, Canada will reinstate envoys, Nijjar killing discussed
India and Canada achieved a major diplomatic breakthrough after both countries decided to reinstate High Commissioners in each other's capitals.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday appeared to be cautious as he shared details of his discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. Speaking to reporters, Carney said while the two leaders discussed the importance of having law enforcement dialogue and cooperating directly, as there is a judicial process underway, he needs to be "careful about further commentary".
His remarks came as India and Canada achieved a major diplomatic breakthrough after both countries decided to reinstate High Commissioners in each other's capitals. The decision followed a bilateral meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
Nijjar, wanted by India for being associated with terrorist activities, was shot dead on Canadian soil in June 2023. A few months later, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a shocking allegation, saying Ottawa had credible evidence suggesting the involvement of Indian government agents in Nijjar's killing in British Columbia. The matter has since remained a focal point of diplomatic fallout between the two countries.
During their bilateral meeting, both PM Modi and his Canadian counterpart shared a positive vision for taking forward the countries' diplomatic ties after a two-year-long rough patch. PM Modi congratulated Carney on his win in the recently held Canadian elections and spoke about his confidence in India and Canada's ties growing in several sectors.
Carney, meanwhile, praised PM Modi for attending every G7 Summit since 2018 and also highlighted India's global influence. He also called his bilateral meeting with PM Modi "foundational and a necessary first step". The Canadian PM shared that the two leaders agreed to provide the "necessary foundations" to begin rebuilding a relationship between India and Canada.
This was the first meeting between Carney and PM Modi since the former became the Canadian Prime Minister.
What's Your Reaction?
