KANANASKIS, Canada (Diya TV) — Canada and India have agreed to restore full diplomatic relations, including the appointment of new high commissioners, following a bilateral meeting at the G7 summit in Alberta. The announcement marks a significant thaw in ties strained since 2023, when Canadian officials accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia.
The agreement came as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the final day of the summit. Carney described it as “a great honor” to welcome Modi, citing the importance of collaboration on shared challenges, including AI governance, clean energy, and global security.
The renewal of diplomatic services is expected to benefit citizens and businesses in both countries, re-establishing channels for visa services, political dialogue, and trade.
The 2025 G7 summit concluded without a traditional joint communiqué, opting instead for several focused declarations. Among the highlighted topics were transnational repression, artificial intelligence, migrant smuggling, and support for Ukraine.
Despite Ukraine being a central issue—with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending in person—G7 leaders failed to agree on a unified statement. A Canadian official cited U.S. hesitation in endorsing stronger language on Ukraine, as Washington pursues potential ceasefire negotiations with Moscow.
Nonetheless, Canada pledged $4.3 billion in new support for Ukraine, including $2 billion for weapons and $2.3 billion in loans backed by interest from frozen Russian assets. French President Emmanuel Macron praised Carney’s leadership, noting he “held the group together” despite diverging views.
Tensions between Canada and India peaked in late 2023 after Canadian authorities linked Indian officials to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C. The dispute led to mutual expulsions of diplomats and a freeze in consular services. Carney’s outreach to Modi and Tuesday’s agreement to restore high commissioners signals a concerted effort to repair the damaged relationship.
Modi, speaking through a translator, said the summit provided a valuable opportunity to serve global interests, emphasizing shared democratic values between India and Canada.
The announcement drew criticism from some Sikh organizations in Canada, who questioned Modi’s inclusion at the summit in light of the unresolved allegations. Still, Canadian officials stressed the importance of re-engaging diplomatically while continuing to pursue justice and transparency.
Beyond Ukraine and diplomacy, the G7 issued a significant statement condemning transnational repression, defined as state-sponsored harassment or violence targeting individuals abroad. A Canada-led initiative, the Rapid Response Mechanism, will expand its reporting on such threats moving forward.
Artificial intelligence also featured prominently in the summit discussions. A Canadian initiative to modernize public services through AI gained support from peers seeking efficiency in governance. Meanwhile, a wildfire charter signed by G7 nations and partners like Australia, India, and South Africa committed to joint strategies on prevention and response.
In a parallel announcement, Canada joined other G7 members and partners in pledging greater investments in critical minerals—a vital component for clean energy and digital infrastructure.
