India- Canada hold bilateral talks during Modi’s G-7 summit visit

New Delhi (India) June 18: On Tuesday in Kananaskis, Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met bilaterally with his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney during the G7 Summit. After winning a third term in office, PM Modi met Carney for the first time and made his first trip to Canada in ten years. Both leaders conveyed a strong desire to strengthen and restore bilateral ties during the conversation. 

According to Prime Minister Modi, "India-Canada relations are extremely important. This is the first time I have got the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister after his election, so I congratulate him for his grand victory in this election and in the coming period, India and Canada will progress together in many areas with him.”

He also added, “India and Canada are connected by a strong belief in democracy, freedom and rule of law. PM Carney and I look forward to working closely to add momentum to the India-Canada friendship. Areas like trade, energy, space, clean energy, critical minerals, fertilisers and more offer immense potential in this regard.”

The two leaders also talked about the larger global issues that the world community is experiencing and emphasized the importance of collaborating on important issues like technology, security and democratic principles.

The Ministry of Home Affairs instructed Central security agencies to gather intelligence on eight fugitive terrorists and gangsters based in Canada, including Khalistani terrorists Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla and Lakhbir Singh "Landa," during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Canada for the G7 summit. It was expected that the information would be given to Canadian officials during the visit.

Negotiations to establish a collaborative working group to address transnational crimes have begun between Delhi and Ottawa. The goal of the talks is to restore bilateral relations while protecting them from the Canadian legal system regarding the 2023 murder of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Mark Carney and Narendra Modi have also decided to appoint new high commissioners with the goal of bringing back regular diplomatic and consular services for both nations' citizens and enterprises.

The importance of Canada-India relations was emphasized by the two leaders, who highlighted respect for one another, adherence to the rule of law and a shared commitment to territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The meeting is being viewed as a possible first step towards restoring mutual confidence and collaboration at a time when both countries are working to stabilize their relations following a period of diplomatic tension.

Aadrika Tayal