India-Canada ties set for reboot at G7 Summit
The Modi-Carney meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit is likely to lead to the revival of bilateral relations that hit a new low in 2023 and 2024, in the wake of Ottawa's allegation about New Delhi's role in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani Sikh extremist who had fled to Canada to avoid trial in India for terrorism.
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Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
On Israel-Iran conflict, what Trump does — or does not do — is key
The Israeli government claims its attack on Iran is 'pre-emptive', that it is intended to neutralise Tehran's ability to develop a nuclear bomb. That claim does not stand the test of international law — Israel's aggression is a violation of it. It also thumbed its nose at the Trump administration — the only nuclear-armed state in West Asia began its offensive just days before the US and Iran were due to resume the sixth round of negotiations around the latter's efforts to develop nuclear weapons. US intelligence assessments have reportedly concluded that Iran, which is retaliating with ballistic missiles aimed at Israel, was 'years' away from achieving nuclear strike capability. Israel has been bombing military and governmental installations, while also carrying out a string of assassinations — of nuclear scientists, and also of senior Iranian military officers. Five days into the conflict, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Israel's objective is regime change. The closest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come to admitting this was in a recent interview to a US TV channel, where he said that regime change 'could certainly be the result because the Iran regime is very weak'. Netanyahu has appealed to the 'proud people of Iran' to rise up for their 'freedom from an evil and repressive regime'. The exhortation is ominous. Time and again, regime change orchestrated or forced upon countries by foreign powers has led to disastrous consequences — political instability, protracted violence, and the collapse of state institutions. From Iraq under Saddam Hussein to Libya under Muammar Gaddafi, and the eventual return of the Taliban in Afghanistan, recent history is replete with cautionary tales. There are serious questions about the legitimacy of the Ali Khamenei regime — the 2022 protests following the death of Mahsa Amini were a clear signal of its growing unpopularity. Yet it is hard to imagine that the Iranian people would be galvanised to align themselves with a foreign power that is bombing their territory. What unfolds next will also largely depend on how the US chooses to navigate this crisis. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed under Barack Obama, arguably curtailed Iran's nuclear ambitions more effectively than any military campaign could. That deal was unilaterally abandoned by President Donald Trump, prompting Iran to gradually renege on its commitments. Today, Trump shows little inclination to press Netanyahu for a ceasefire — even as he himself has acknowledged receiving signals from Iran seeking de-escalation. His early exit from the G7 summit, ostensibly to focus on 'something bigger', adds to the uncertainty. As the world waits, global powers must urgently press Israel to work towards a ceasefire, open spaces for diplomacy. If not, an entrenched regime in Tehran, weakened post October 7, will be further pushed against the wall by a Tel Aviv that has arrogated to itself a free pass making peace all the more elusive.
New Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
India, Canada agree to designate new high commissioners
KANANASKIS: India and Canada have agreed to designate new high commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held bilateral discussions on the margins of the G7 Leaders' Summit here Tuesday. A statement issued by the office of the Canadian Prime Minister said that Carney and Modi reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The leaders agreed to designate new high commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries," the statement said. The two leaders also discussed strong and historic ties between the peoples, partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and significant commercial links between Canada and India including partnerships in economic growth, supply chains, and energy transformation. Carney "raised priorities on the G7 agenda, including transnational crime and repression, security, and the rules-based order," the statement said adding that the leaders also discussed opportunities to deepen engagement in areas such as technology, the digital transition, food security, and critical minerals. In October last year, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and announced it was withdrawing its High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other "targeted" officials from Canada after strongly dismissing Ottawa's allegations linking the envoy to a probe into the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in a major downturn in already frosty ties between the two nations. Verma was declared a "person of interest" by Canada in its investigation into the June 2023 killing of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who has been declared a Khalistani terrorist by India. Before Canada could take further action, New Delhi recalled Verma and five other diplomats, who were also similarly named. "This is the pits. This is the most unprofessional approach to a bilateral relation. There are diplomatic tools available in the hands of a diplomat. Those tools could have been used" instead of seeking to interrogate a country's top envoy and other diplomats, Verma had said in an interview with PTI Video.
India.com
27 minutes ago
- India.com
India, Canada to restore High Commissioners for the 1st time since 2023 after Modi-Carney hit diplomatic reset at G7
India, Canada to restore High Commissioners for the 1st time since 2023 after Modi-Carney hit diplomatic reset at G7 India and Canada have agreed to restore full diplomatic ties and appoint new high commissioners, marking a significant thaw in strained relations following months of tension in the sideline of G7 Leaders' Summit. A statement issued by the office of the Canadian Prime Minister said that Carney and Modi reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity. 'The leaders agreed to designate new high commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries,' the statement said. The two leaders also discussed strong and historic ties between the peoples, partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and significant commercial links between Canada and India – including partnerships in economic growth, supply chains, and energy transformation. Carney 'raised priorities on the G7 agenda, including transnational crime and repression, security, and the rules-based order,' the statement said adding that the leaders also discussed opportunities to deepen engagement in areas such as technology, the digital transition, food security, and critical minerals. In 2023, Canada accused the Indian government of being involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a leader who supported a separate Khalistan. Because of this, Canada kicked out six Indian diplomats. India then responded by kicking out six Canadian diplomats. This caused a big problem between the two countries, stopping important meetings and discussions. However, things seem to be improving. When Mark Carney became Canada's new Prime Minister in April, he met with India's Prime Minister Modi. PM Modi called their meeting 'excellent' and highlighted that both countries believe in democracy, freedom, and the rule of law . PM Modi also said he looks forward to working with PM Carney to strengthen the friendship between India and Canada. PM Carney welcomed PM Modi to the G7 meeting, saying it was a 'great honor' to have India there. He said India's involvement shows how important the country and its leadership are globally, especially in dealing with issues like energy, AI, and fighting crime and terrorism across borders. Canada is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas globally, comprising nearly 4.5 per cent of its population. This includes about 1.8 million Canadians of Indian origin, nearly 770,000 of whom are Sikh and nearly one million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), including students and skilled workers. In 2022, Indian students formed the largest cohort of international students in Canada, making up 41 per cent of the total. However, recent immigration tightening has affected their opportunities and impacted Canadian universities' financial health.
