OTTAWA/NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India and Canada are preparing to establish a new mechanism for sharing intelligence on cross-border crimes. The effort comes nearly two years after a major diplomatic rift over the murder of a Sikh separatist near Vancouver.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the agreement will allow law enforcement agencies in both countries to exchange data on transnational crime, terrorism, and extremism. Canada has added a focus on investigating extrajudicial killings. The officials asked to remain anonymous, citing the sensitive and ongoing nature of the discussions.
While not finalized, the accord is expected to be discussed during the Group of Seven (G7) summit, where Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to meet. As of Friday, Modi was still expected to attend the summit despite recent developments, including the deadly Air India crash that killed 241 of 242 people aboard and rising tensions in the Middle East.
“The forthcoming meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G-7 summit will offer an important opportunity to exchange views on bilateral and global issues,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Thursday.
Relations between the two countries plummeted in 2023 after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of orchestrating the murder of a Sikh activist in Surrey, British Columbia. India denied any involvement and blamed Canada for harboring Sikh extremist elements. Both countries expelled diplomats and froze visa services. Despite public tensions, back-channel communication between security agencies continued.
The new intelligence-sharing structure is designed to be broader and involve higher-level officials than past efforts. It will start with law enforcement agencies but may later include intelligence and diplomatic channels.
Diplomatic relations have begun to thaw in recent months. Modi congratulated Carney on his electoral victory, and the two leaders have exchanged phone calls. Carney invited Modi to the G7 summit, signaling a broader shift in Canadian foreign policy. The new government is seeking to mend ties with nations that had clashed with Trudeau’s administration, including India, China, and Saudi Arabia.
Jaiswal emphasized that the upcoming talks will aim to “reset the relationship based on mutual respect, shared interests and sensitivity to each other’s concerns.” Carney, for his part, has identified countering transnational crime and foreign interference as top G7 priorities.
India, though not a G7 member, has attended 12 summits as a key global partner.
Still, not everyone supports the diplomatic overture. The World Sikh Organization of Canada has protested Modi’s invitation. Some Members of Parliament have also raised objections.
