Latest news with #India-Canada
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Canada yet to invite PM Modi to next month's G7 Summit
TORONTO/NEW DELHI: With Canada yet to extend an invitation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the G7 Summit for the first time in six years, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. The Canadian government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to host this year's G7 Summit in the resort of Kananaskis in Alberta on June 15-17. In addition to the lack of an invitation, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity that the ground had not been prepared for a reset of India-Canada relations. Bilateral ties hit an all-time low after former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged in September 2023 that Indian government agents were linked to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India dismissed the accusation as 'absurd' and since then, both countries have expelled each other's diplomats and downgraded ties. While Carney's victory in the Canadian election had raised hopes for a thaw in bilateral relations, the people said all the building blocks were still not in place for taking things forward. 'A meeting between the top leadership would have heightened expectations for a breakthrough but more work needs to be done for a reset of the relationship,' one of the people said. While positive messages have been exchanged in private between New Delhi and Ottawa, that may not translate into a visit by Modi for the G7 Summit, the people said. Since 2019, the Indian Prime Minister has been invited to the outreach session of the G7 Summit by France, the UK, Germany, Japan and Italy in recognition of the country's growing economic heft and role in coping with global challenges. The people said India and Canada could make a start towards the improvement of relations by appointing high commissioners in each other's capitals. The positions have been vacant since India withdrew its envoy last year after he and five other diplomats were named as 'persons of interest' in the investigation into Nijjar's killing. The Indian side also has concerns about the activities of Khalistani elements in Canada, including the possibility of protests during any high-level visit from the Indian side. Organisations working in the trade corridor between India and Canada and community groups had earlier received indications that a visit may have been possible. A meeting with CEOs from major Canadian companies was scheduled to be held in Calgary and while the event has not been cancelled, it will no longer be at the scale originally proposed. The Indian side had also been exploring the possibility of a visit to Vancouver and the holding of events there, including an interaction with the Indo-Canadian community. That too is on hold, the people said. While Carney's government wants to rebuild the bilateral relationship, the focus is now on gradually enhancing them. Canada's foreign minister Anita Anand, who recently spoke on phone with her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, indicated as much in a media interview last week, when she said the renewal would happen 'one step at a time'. There is also pressure from pro-Khalistan and anti-India groups on Ottawa to not invite Modi. Views in this regard have been publicly expressed and the secessionist group, Sikhs for Justice or SFJ, has planned protests if Modi were to arrive in Canada. Canada has not formally announced invitations to any partner nations so far, though Carney has said Ukraine, Australia and South Korea will be present at the G7 Summit and there were reports that the leaders of Mexico and South Africa, host of the G20 this year, will also be in Alberta.
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
PM Modi May Not Attend G7 Summit In Canada In First Miss In 6 Years: Sources
Last Updated: While the two countries have taken steps towards mending ties after a change of guard in Canada, a complete reset could take some time, according to analysts Prime Minister Narendra Modi may give the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada a miss amid strained relations with Ottawa—marking the first time in six years that he will skip the meeting of the grouping of the most industrialised economies in the world as well as the European Union, IMF, World Bank, and the United Nations. India has recently achieved the status of the fourth-largest economy in the world. Analysts say it could play a key role as a trade partner for Canada, which is desperately trying to revive its sluggish economy. While the two countries have taken steps towards mending ties after a change of guard in Canada, a complete reset could take some time, according to analysts. Sources have told CNN-News18 that India was unlikely to accept any invitation from Canada for the G7 meeting, slated for mid-May. They have cited security concerns, especially because Canada has emerged as a hub for Khalistani extremists, as well as the broader diplomatic chill. India-Canada ties hit an all-time low after former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau blamed India for the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar— a charge New Delhi vehemently denied; Trudeau was unable to provide proof. A diplomatic crisis ensued as both countries expelled diplomats, and India suspended visa services for Canadians. Geopolitical observers hoped for a turnaround with Trudeau stepping down ahead of elections and his Liberal party colleague, Mark Carney, taking charge of the country staring at an economic crisis. Carney steered his party to poll victory. According to analysts, India is Carney's best bet to revive Canada's economy in the backdrop of his standoff with US President Donald Trump and rift with China. Anand said in her talks with Jaishankar that the leaders discussed 'strengthening Canada-India ties". When asked if she believed that the conversation would lead to the appointment of new high commissioners between the two countries, Anand said that they are taking 'one step at a time". 'As I mentioned, the rule of law will never be compromised, and there is an ongoing investigation regarding the case that you mentioned," she said in an interview while referring to Nijjar's murder, The Globe And Mail reported. First Published: June 02, 2025, 15:11 IST
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Carney govt seeks to build ties with India, says Canadian minister amid strained relations
Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand has said that Prime Minister Mark Carney's government looks forward to building its partnership with India as part of diversifying and building relationships globally, even as she acknowledged that pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing continues to cast a shadow on bilateral ties. She said Ottawa was taking the relationship forward one step at a time. 'At the same time, we are looking forward to continuing to build this partnership, and we're looking forward to that as a Government – it's not just me,' Anand, an Indo-Canadian, told the Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail. Anand emphasised that the rule of law will never be compromised. The alleged links between Indian officials and the Nijjar's killing led to a diplomatic rift. The then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the Canadian House of Commons that there were 'credible allegations' of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing three months after Nijjar was murdered in June 2023 in British Columbia's Surrey. India dismissed the accusation as 'absurd' and 'motivated'. Four Indian nationals were arrested in connection with the murder last year. Anand said that Nijjar's killing continues to impact the bilateral ties. 'We are certainly taking it one step at a time. As I mentioned, the rule of law will never be compromised, and there is an ongoing investigation regarding the [Nijjar] case that you mentioned.' Anand echoed Carney about renewing the relationship with India. She added that the investigation into Nijjar's murder will continue under the auspices of an independent agency. On May 25, Anand spoke to her Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar. She thanked him for the productive discussion on strengthening Canada–India ties, deepening economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. Anand said she looked forward to continuing their work together. Jaishankar said they discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. This was the first formal contact between the foreign ministers since February 2024, when Anand's predecessor, Mélanie Joly, met Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany. The ministers remained in contact before Ottawa in October last year asked New Delhi to waive diplomatic immunity for six Indian officials posted in Canada so they could be questioned about 'violent criminal activity'. New Delhi dismissed Ottawa's move to designate six officials as 'persons of interest' in the investigation and expelled six Canadian diplomats. India withdrew the six officials, including high commissioner Sanjay Verma. There have been indications of a potential thaw in the ties after Carney became Prime Minister in March and appointed Anand as the foreign minister. Modi congratulated Carney as it became clear on April 29 that he would lead the new government in Ottawa. In April, Carney called ties with India 'incredibly important' on many levels. 'On the personal level, with Canadians having deep personal ties, economically, strategically.' Anand made a similar remark while seeking re-election from the Oakville East constituency in March. 'We will make sure we have strong ties with nations whose people have immigrated here and settled here, including my mother's and father's homeland of India.' There has been little clarity on whether Canada will invite India and Modi as a partner country for the G7 summit in Alberta from June 15 to June 17. Carney is yet to publicly respond to Modi's congratulatory message.
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
India, Canada move to mend ties
India's foreign minister said he had spoken to his Canadian counterpart as the two sides seek to ease fraught relations. The telephone call, which took place late Sunday, is the highest diplomatic contact between Ottawa and New Delhi since Mark Carney became Canadian prime minster in March. Ties between Canada and India were strained following accusations of New Delhi's involvement in the 2023 assassination of a Canadian Sikh, claims India denied. India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he had "discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties" with newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand and he had "wished her a very successful tenure". Anand, whose parents hailed from India, said on X she looked forward "strengthening Canada-India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities".
Gulf Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
India, Canada move to mend ties as Jaishankar speaks to Anita Anand
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand through a telephonic conversation for the first time and discussed strengthening the relationship between the two countries. Anand made the announcement on Sunday on her social media account on X, thanking EAM Jaishankar for the "productive discussion" on Indo-Canadian ties. "Thank you Minister @DrSJaishankar for the productive discussion today on strengthening Canada-India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. I look forward to continuing our work together," she wrote on X. Soon after, EAM Jaishankar confirmed the conversation with Anand on Sunday on his official X account, saying he discussed prospects of the relations between the two countries. "Appreciate the telecon with FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure," he wrote on X. Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for deepening economic cooperation with India. Canada will be hosting the G7 Summit from June 15 to 17. Indian-Canadian lawmaker Anita Anand, 58, was appointed as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs earlier this month in a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney almost two weeks after his Liberal Party won the parliamentary elections. On May 14, EAM Jaishankar congratulated Anand on her appointment as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. Anand was the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry before the Canada elections and in the past has served in several roles, including Defence Minister. She replaced Melanie Joly, who is now the Minister of Industry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated Carney on being elected as the Canadian Prime Minister after his predecessor Justin Trudeau stepped down from the role. In his message, PM Modi had stressed strong people-to-people ties between the two countries while saying he was looking forward to "unlocking greater opportunities". With Carney, it looks like India wants to turn a new leaf in bilateral ties that had nosedived under Trudeau amid unsubstantiated allegations against New Delhi related to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. Even during his campaign, the Canadian Prime Minister said rebuilding ties with India was a priority for his government, describing it as an "incredibly important relationship". He had said Canadians have deep personal, economic and strategic ties with India. Relations between India and Canada took a big hit in 2023 after Trudeau publicly accused India of being involved in the killing of Nijjar on Canadian soil, allegations that India described as "absurd" and "politically motivated". Tensions escalated as Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, followed by a tit-for-tat move by India last year. Both countries expelled top envoys, froze trade talks and suspended official visits. India has accused Canada of tolerating extremism on its soil and failing to take action to curb attacks against its diplomats. Indo-Asian News Service
