- India, Canada push cautious diplomatic reset
- Energy, trade deals advance despite tensions
- Interference concerns remain unresolved
India and Canada have moved to stabilise strained diplomatic relations, even as disagreements persist over allegations of foreign interference and the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil.
India vociferously rejected the allegation by Justin Trudeau. The fallout had brought trade and diplomatic engagement nearly to a halt, with both countries expelling diplomats and suspending visa services. Canada is home to a large Indian diaspora, further heightening sensitivities.
Since Prime Minister Mark Carney took office last year, ties have been gradually rebuilt. His government has stated it believes India is not currently linked to violent crimes or threats in Canada. However, some Canadian voices, including a Liberal MP and members of the Sikh diaspora, dispute that assessment, saying they believe they continue to be targeted.
Canada’s spy agency listed India among countries involved in espionage and foreign interference. In a statement recently, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service said its “threat assessment of the main perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage against Canada has not changed”.
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Foreign Minister Anita Anand distanced herself from remarks by a senior official suggesting India had ceased interference. “The words of the senior official are not words that I personally would use,” she told reporters in Delhi after Carney met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Still, she defended re-engagement, saying “we need to have these diplomatic conversations in order to make progress”.
Carney did not address the Canadian media during the visit, and a planned press conference was cancelled due to scheduling constraints.
During talks in Delhi, both leaders emphasised shared interests. “In civil nuclear energy, we have reached a landmark deal for long-term uranium supply. We will also work together on small modular reactors and advanced reactors,” Modi told reporters. He described the two nations as “natural partners in technology and innovation” and said they would expand cooperation in AI, supercomputing and semiconductors, while jointly hosting a renewable energy summit.
Carney said Canada could support India’s nuclear fuel needs and confirmed the launch of a strategic energy partnership. “There has been more engagement between the Canadian and Indian governments in the last year than there has been in more than two decades combined,” he said.
On trade, Modi said: “Our target is to reach $50bn in bilateral trade. This is why we have decided to finalise a comprehensive economic partnership soon.” Carney added he aimed to conclude the “ambitious agreement” by year-end.
Carney also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss a “forward-looking partnership”. His trip, which began in Mumbai, will continue to Australia and Japan as Canada seeks to diversify trade & investment ties.