Page 8 - The Indian EYE 062725

EYE ON INDIA JUNE 27, 2025 | The Indian Eye 8

Modi-Carney Meeting Resets India-Canada

Ties, Marginalizes Khalistani Agenda

With Prime Minister Modi’s landmark meeting with Canadian PM Mark Carney at the G7

Summit, India-Canada relations appear to be back on track—marking a major diplomatic win

for Modi and a clear blow to Khalistani extremist elements.

OUR BUREAU the importance of this relationship,
grounded in “shared democratic val-
New Delhi
ues, respect for the rule of law and
fter nearly a year of icy diplo- commitment to sovereignty and ter-
matic standoff, the dialogue ritorial integrity.” In real terms, that
Abetween India and Canada means moving beyond the shadows
has been formally revived—this time of the Nijjar controversy and tack-
at the highest level. In a meeting on ling more constructive issues—like
the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Ka- cooperation in AI, green energy, and
nanaskis, Canadian Prime Minister trade.
Mark Carney and Indian Prime Min- Despite lingering tension in
ister Narendra Modi signaled a stra- certain Canadian domestic politi-
tegic reset, with both nations agreeing cal quarters, Carney defended Mo-
to reinstate High Commissioners and di’s presence at the G7 Summit.
initiate a new phase of cooperation. He underscored India’s role as the
For India, it’s a significant diplomatic world’s most populous nation and
win. For the Khalistani movement, it’s fourth-largest economy, stating that
a major setback. India’s voice is vital to global prob-
The fallout between the two lem-solving.
countries had reached a nadir in Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney receives Prime Minister Narendra Modi While symbolic, the reinstate-
2023, when then-Prime Minister ment of High Commissioners marks
Justin Trudeau alleged India’s in- at the G7 Summit (DPR PMO/ANI Photo) a concrete step toward normalizing
volvement in the killing of Hardeep relations. It signals a willingness to
Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist ers had a “frank and forward-look- da, and planning violence in India. compartmentalize past grievances
and NIA-designated terrorist. India ing discussion” and “agreed to take The report bluntly states, and build on mutual interests. How-
had dismissed those allegations as calibrated and constructive steps to “Khalistani extremists continue to ever, as Carney himself noted, this is
“absurd” and “politically motivated,” restore stability in the relationship.” use Canada as a base for the promo- only “a necessary first step.”
and ties quickly spiraled as both sides For Modi, the optics couldn’t tion, fundraising or planning of vio- The next challenge is institution-
expelled diplomats and consular ser- have been better. Welcomed at the lence primarily in India.” For Indian alizing law enforcement cooperation,
vices suffered. G7 and praised by Carney for India’s officials, it’s a long-overdue acknowl- especially in light of ongoing judicial
But with Carney now at the helm role in global affairs, the visit has edgment. For Khalistani elements, processes related to the Nijjar case.
in Ottawa, a pragmatic tone has bolstered his image as a statesman it’s a public indictment—and a blow Both leaders have acknowledged the
emerged. capable of recalibrating complex re- to their credibility. need for a “law enforcement-to-law
Speaking at a press conference lationships. Union Minister Hardeep Singh enforcement” dialogue—possibly the
at the conclusion of the G7 Summit, The diplomatic reset has not Puri was more direct. Hailing Modi’s most sensitive but critical part of the
Carney described the meeting with gone unnoticed by Khalistani sup- visit to Canada, he said it was “a hard bilateral reboot.
PM Modi as “foundational.” He em- porters in Canada. In fact, it appears slap” on extremist forces. He empha- The timing also plays to Modi’s
phasized the importance of “mutual to have come as a direct rebuke. sized that the Canadian government advantage. Coming soon after his
respect, sovereignty, and trust,” and Defence analyst Sanjeev Srivastava under Carney is now actively discuss- re-election, the G7 invitation and
announced that both sides would called the move a “constructive turn ing counter-terror cooperation with subsequent diplomatic breakthrough
soon appoint High Commissioners of events” and highlighted how the India. “This formulation in itself is a with Canada burnish his global lead-
again. “We’re both committed to re- return of High Commissioners sig- rejection of those forces,” he said. ership credentials. It also sends a
building this relationship,” Carney nals a shift from the Trudeau-era le- India and Canada share a deep strong domestic message that India
stated, acknowledging that while niency towards anti-India elements. reservoir of people-to-people and will neither be lectured nor isolated
challenges remain, the will to resolve Backing this change in tone is a business ties. With over 1.6 million on the global stage.
them is mutual. development from within Canada Canadians of Indian origin and grow- With CSIS acknowledging In-
From New Delhi’s perspective, itself. The Canadian Security Intel- ing economic linkages in areas like dia’s long-standing concerns, and
this was a much-awaited and care- ligence Service (CSIS) recently re- technology, clean energy, and edu- both governments agreeing to move
fully choreographed return to con- leased its annual report, confirming cation, both countries stand to gain forward, the message is clear: the
structive diplomacy. India’s Ministry what India has been saying for years: from stable ties. space for Khalistani extremism in
of External Affairs (MEA) issued a Khalistani extremists have used Ca- According to the MEA, the Canada is shrinking, and bilateral ties
statement confirming that the lead- nadian soil for fundraising, propagan- Modi-Carney meeting reaffirmed are finally poised to grow again.

www.TheIndianEYE.com