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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 07, 2025 | The Indian Eye 31

India and Canada Reset Ties: From Diplomatic

Frost to a New Era of Cooperation

After two turbulent years marked by accusations, expulsions, and mistrust, India and Canada are finally rebuilding
their relationship, setting the stage for high-level talks, trade expansion, and renewed diplomatic warmth.

or nearly two years, India and visor Ajit Doval and his Canadian
Canada’s relations had been counterpart Nathalie Drouin met in
Ffrozen in a deep diplomatic September to discuss strengthening
chill following the 2023 allegations by collaboration against terrorism and
then–Prime Minister Justin Trudeau transnational organized crime. The
that Indian agents were involved in Ministry of External Affairs in New
the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Delhi described the meeting as part
Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. of a “regular bilateral security dia-
The fallout was swift and bitter — logue” and a “follow-up to discus-
expulsions of diplomats, stalled trade sions” between Modi and Carney at
talks, and public rebukes on both the G7.
sides. Today, however, that chapter From Confrontation to Collaboration
appears to be closing as both nations
move toward cautious reconciliation. The renewed engagement marks
At the centre of this diplomatic a decisive departure from the ten-
thaw is the upcoming visit of Cana- sion of 2023–2024, when both sides
dian Prime Minister Mark Carney to expelled diplomats and froze trade
New Delhi, expected early next year. negotiations. Now, as both govern-
The visit — at the invitation of Prime than double again. Patnaik has said Canada’s multicultural identity. ments talk about “momentum for
Minister Narendra Modi — could sig- that India is keen to expand imports Canadian leaders, including rebuilding trust,” the focus is shifting
nal a turning point, with the two coun- of Canadian oil, gas, and agricultur- Carney and Foreign Minister Anita from confrontation to collaboration.
tries preparing the ground for a com- al products — particularly canola oil Anand, joined in the festivities, pub- India, for its part, remains firm
prehensive economic and free-trade — while also looking to invest in Ca- licly extending Diwali greetings and that Canada must prevent extremist
partnership that could elevate bilater- nadian energy, critical minerals, and celebrating Indian traditions. Anand, elements from exploiting its free-
al trade beyond $50 billion annually. clean technologies. in particular, has been at the fore- doms to incite violence. Patnaik has
However, Patnaik noted that front of the diplomatic reset — her spoken openly about threats from
A Fresh Start After Trudeau
Ottawa must create a clearer invest- October visit to New Delhi result- Khalistani separatists outside his resi-
The change in tone has been as ment framework, with predictable ed in a joint declaration on law en- dence, calling for deeper cooperation
dramatic as the change in leadership environmental and indigenous land- forcement and rule of law, marking with the RCMP and Canadian Secu-
in Ottawa. Carney, who succeeded use regulations. “We would be hap- the first time such an agreement was rity Intelligence Service. “We need to
Trudeau, has focused on rebuilding py to invest in Canada, but you have signed between the two nations. talk. We need to have a clear security
bridges with India, a country now to create the ecosystem,” he said, Security and Trust Rebuilding dialogue,” he said, adding that while
seen by Canada as an indispensable lauding Carney’s creation of a Major India is ready to engage, it cannot
partner in trade, energy, and tech- Projects Office in Calgary to stream- The new joint declaration un- wait indefinitely for Canada to act.
nology. “Both countries are making a line large-scale investments. derscores the seriousness with which Looking Ahead
sincere effort to repair strained dip- India’s interest in AI and quan- both sides now approach security
lomatic relations,” India’s new High tum computing collaboration with cooperation. In an interview with With trade, technology, and se-
Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Canada also reflects the new thrust CBC News, Anand described ongo- curity on the agenda — and with Di-
Kumar Patnaik, told The Globe and of their relationship — one built as ing “productive conversations” be- wali lights symbolically brightening
Mail, stressing that the focus has much on innovation and sustainabili- tween Indian and Canadian officials relations — India and Canada appear
shifted from rhetoric to results. ty as on traditional energy and trade. on public safety and counterterror- ready to turn the page. The anticipat-
The Modi-Carney meeting at Carney has been invited to attend the ism. Canada’s decision to designate ed Carney visit could transform the
the G7 summit in Alberta earlier this Artificial Intelligence Action Summit the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist or- cautious optimism into concrete out-
year was the first major step in re- in New Delhi in February, where the ganization — in response to Indian comes, from a revived free-trade pact
storing communication. Since then, two prime ministers are expected to concerns — was seen as a significant to greater intelligence sharing.
national security advisers and foreign hold detailed talks. confidence-building step. For both countries, the stakes
ministers have maintained a steady Diplomacy Through Culture and People The shift in Ottawa’s tone is no- are high. Canada needs new markets
line of dialogue, addressing security table. Unlike the Trudeau era, where amid growing U.S. tariff pressures
concerns and paving the way for eco- The soft-power dimension of this allegations and diplomatic spats and its strained ties with China, while
nomic cooperation. rapprochement has been equally visi- dominated the discourse, the Carney India seeks reliable partners for en-
ble. Canada Post recently unveiled a government has emphasised “law ergy, innovation, and investment.
Rekindling Trade and Economic Ties
Diwali stamp featuring a traditional enforcement dialogue” and practical If Modi and Carney succeed in
Trade between India and Cana- Rangoli design, while the city of To- cooperation. Anand made clear that translating goodwill into policy, 2025
da hit a record $23.6 billion in 2024, ronto officially proclaimed October “back to normal” does not mean ig- could be remembered as the year In-
nearly doubling from the previous 20, 2025, as “Diwali Day.” Indian noring security concerns, but rather dia and Canada moved from distrust
year. With both countries now prior- diplomats hailed the gestures as sym- managing them through structured to partnership — one defined not
itising renewed talks on a free-trade bols of a growing recognition of the engagement. by the ghosts of the past, but by the
agreement, that figure could more Indian community’s contributions to India’s National Security Ad- promise of a shared future.

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